Active containing fibrous structures with multiple regions

ABSTRACT

A fibrous structure including filaments wherein the filaments comprise one or more filament-forming materials and one or more active agents that are releasable from the filament when exposed to conditions of intended use, the fibrous structure further having at least three regions. Methods of treating fabrics with a fibrous structure are also provided herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to fibrous structurescomprising three differing regions and methods for making the same, andin particular, fibrous structures having a network region, transitionregion and a plurality of discrete zones.

BACKGROUND

Fibrous structures are known in the art. For example, a polyesternonwoven that is impregnated and/or coated with a detergent compositionis known in the art as shown in prior art FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a known nonwoven substrate 10 is made of undissolvablefibers 12 wherein the nonwoven substrate 10 is coated and/or impregnatedwith an additive 14, such as an active agent. An example of such a webmaterial is commercially available as Purex® Complete 3-in-1 LaundrySheets from The Dial Corporation.

Further, a non-fibrous article of manufacture formed from a castsolution of a detergent composition is also known in the art and iscommercially available as Dizolve® Laundry Sheets commercially availablefrom Dizolve Group Corporation.

However, such known web materials and/or articles of manufacture exhibitnegatives that make them problematic for consumers. For example, theknown web materials and/or articles of manufacture are relatively stiffand/or inflexible, thereby prone to fracture upon simple handling.Further, the web materials and/or articles of manufacture typicallydeliver such a low level of detergent composition and/or detergentactives that the cleaning performance is less than desired by consumers.Another negative with is that the web materials and/or articles ofmanufacture may leave remnants of the web material and/or articles ofmanufacture after the washing operation, for example the polyesternonwoven substrate does not dissolve during the washing operation. Yet,another negative with such known web materials is there potentialtendency for sticking to a washing machine surface or window during thewashing cycle and therefore not be functional in delivering its intendeduse, namely cleaning clothing. Most importantly, in some cases the knownweb materials can block the draining mechanism of the washing machine.Additional negative includes removal of undissolved carrier substratesof the articles of manufacture, such as discarding of the polyesternonwoven substrate.

Accordingly, the present invention provides fibrous structurescomprising one or more active agents and filaments such that the fibrousstructures comprise two or more regions having distinct intensiveproperties for improved strength, while providing sufficient dissolutionand disintegration during use.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a fibrous structure comprisingfilaments wherein the filaments comprise one or more filament-formingmaterials and one or more active agents that are releasable from thefilament when exposed to conditions of intended use. The fibrousstructure further comprises at least a network region, a plurality ofdiscrete zones and a transition region. The transition region isadjacent the network region and the plurality of discrete zones.

In accordance with another embodiment, a fibrous structure comprisingfilaments wherein the filaments comprise one or more filament-formingmaterials and one or more active agents that are releasable from thefilament when exposed to conditions of intended use. The fibrousstructure comprises at least a network region, a plurality of discretezones and a transition region. The transition region is adjacent thenetwork region and the plurality of discrete zones. Each of the networkregion, plurality of discrete zones and transition region have at leastone common intensive property. The at least one common intensiveproperty of each of the network region, plurality of discrete zones andtransition region differ in value. The at least one common intensiveproperty comprises average density. The network region comprises acontinuous network and the discrete zones are dispersed throughout thenetwork region. The ratio of the average density of the network regionto the average density of the discrete zones is greater than 1.

In accordance with still another embodiment, a fibrous structurecomprising filaments wherein the filaments comprise one or morefilament-forming materials and one or more active agents that arereleasable from the filament when exposed to conditions of intended use.The fibrous structure comprises at least a network region, a pluralityof discrete zones and a transition region. The transition region isadjacent the network region and the plurality of discrete zones. Each ofthe network region, plurality of discrete zones and transition regionhave at least one common intensive property. The at least one commonintensive property of each of the network region, plurality of discretezones and transition region differ in value. The at least one commonintensive property comprises average density. The network regioncomprises a continuous network and the discrete zones are dispersedthroughout the network region. The ratio of the average density of thenetwork region to the average density of the discrete zones is less than1.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a process for making afibrous structure. The process comprises the step of depositing aplurality of filaments on to a three-dimensional molding membercomprising a non-random repeating pattern such that a fibrous structurecomprising one or more filament-forming materials and one or more activeagents that are releasable from the filaments when exposed to conditionsof intended use is produced. The fibrous structure comprises at least anetwork region, a plurality of discrete zones and a transition region.The transition region is adjacent the network region and the pluralityof discrete zones. Each of the network region, plurality of discretezones and transition region have at least one common intensive property.The at least one common intensive property of each of the networkregion, plurality of discrete zones and transition region differ invalue.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as thepresent invention, it is believed that the invention will be more fullyunderstood from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a known nonwoven substrate.

FIG. 2 is another known nonwoven substrate.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a fibrous structure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the portion of the fibrousstructure shown in FIG. 3 as taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a fibrous structure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an apparatus used to formfibrous structures.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a die used on an apparatus asshown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a representative image of a molding member.

FIG. 10 illustrates representative images of molding members and theresulting fibrous structures.

FIG. 11A is a schematic view of equipment for measuring dissolution of afibrous structure.

FIG. 11B is a schematic top view of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of equipment for measuring dissolution of afibrous structure.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a network region and a plurality ofdiscrete zones of a fibrous structure as shown using a SEM micrograph.

FIG. 14 shows a processed topography image of a network region and aplurality of discrete zones of a fibrous structure as shown using a SEMmicrograph.

FIG. 15 illustrates a series of straight line regions of interest, drawnacross the network region and discrete zones shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a height profile plot along a straight line regionof interest, drawn through a topography image, to show several elevationdifferential measurements.

FIG. 17 depicts a height profile plot along a straight line region ofinterest, drawn through a topography image, to show several transitionregion widths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Definitions

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specifiedthereafter:

“Filament” or “fiber” or “fibrous element” as used herein means anelongate particulate having a length greatly exceeding its diameter,i.e. a length to diameter ratio of at least about 10. A fibrous elementmay be a filament or a fiber. In one example, the fibrous element is asingle fibrous element rather than a yarn comprising a plurality offibrous elements. Fibrous elements may be spun from a filament-formingcompositions also referred to as fibrous element-forming compositionsvia suitable spinning operations, such as meltblowing and/orspunbonding. Fibrous elements may be monocomponent and/ormulticomponent. For example, the fibrous elements may comprisebicomponent fibers and/or filaments. The bicomponent fibers and/orfilaments may be in any form, such as side-by-side, core and sheath,islands-in-the-sea and the like.

“Filament-forming composition” as used herein means a composition thatis suitable for making a filament such as by meltblowing and/orspunbonding. The filament-forming composition comprises one or morefilament-forming materials that exhibit properties that make themsuitable for spinning into a filament. In one example, thefilament-forming material comprises a polymer. In addition to one ormore filament-forming materials, the filament-forming composition maycomprise one or more additives, for example one or more active agents.In addition, the filament-forming composition may comprise one or morepolar solvents, such as water, into which one or more, for example all,of the filament-forming materials and/or one or more, for example all,of the active agents are dissolved and/or dispersed.

“Filament-forming material” as used herein means a material, such as apolymer or monomers capable of producing a polymer that exhibitsproperties suitable for making a filament. In one example, thefilament-forming material comprises one or more substituted polymerssuch as an anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and/or nonionic polymer. Inanother example, the polymer may comprise a hydroxyl polymer, such as apolyvinyl alcohol (“PVOH”) and/or a polysaccharide, such as starchand/or a starch derivative, such as an ethoxylated starch and/oracid-thinned starch. In another example, the polymer may comprisepolyethylenes and/or terephthalates. In yet another example, thefilament-forming material is a polar solvent-soluble material.

“Additive” as used herein means any material present in a filament thatis not a filament-forming material. In one example, an additivecomprises an active agent. In another example, an additive comprises aprocessing aid. In still another example, an additive comprises afiller. In one example, an additive comprises any material present inthe filament that its absence from the filament would not result in thefilament losing its filament structure, in other words, its absence doesnot result in the filament losing its solid form. In another example, anadditive, for example an active agent, comprises a non-polymer material.

“Conditions of intended use” as used herein means the temperature,physical, chemical, and/or mechanical conditions that a filament isexposed to when the filament is used for one or more of its designedpurposes. For example, if a filament and/or a nonwoven web comprising afilament is designed to be used in a washing machine for laundry carepurposes, the conditions of intended use will include those temperature,chemical, physical and/or mechanical conditions present in a washingmachine, including any wash water, during a laundry washing operation.In another example, if a filament and/or a nonwoven web comprising afilament is designed to be used by a human as a shampoo for hair carepurposes, the conditions of intended use will include those temperature,chemical, physical and/or mechanical conditions present during theshampooing of the human's hair. Likewise, if a filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising a filament is designed to be used in a dishwashingoperation, by hand or by a dishwashing machine, the conditions ofintended use will include the temperature, chemical, physical and/ormechanical conditions present in a dishwashing water and/or dishwashingmachine, during the dishwashing operation.

“Active agent” as used herein means an additive that produces anintended effect in an environment external to a filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising the filament of the present, such as when the filament isexposed to conditions of intended use of the filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising the filament. In one example, an active agent comprisesan additive that treats a surface, such as a hard surface (i.e., kitchencountertops, bath tubs, toilets, toilet bowls, sinks, floors, walls,teeth, cars, windows, mirrors, dishes) and/or a soft surface (i.e.,fabric, hair, skin, carpet, crops, plants,). In another example, anactive agent comprises an additive that creates a chemical reaction(i.e., foaming, fizzing, coloring, warming, cooling, lathering,disinfecting and/or clarifying and/or chlorinating, such as inclarifying water and/or disinfecting water and/or chlorinating water).In yet another example, an active agent comprises an additive thattreats an environment (i.e., deodorizes, purifies, perfumes air). In oneexample, the active agent is formed in situ, such as during theformation of the filament containing the active agent, for example thefilament may comprise a water-soluble polymer (e.g., starch) and asurfactant (e.g., anionic surfactant), which may create a polymercomplex or coacervate that functions as the active agent used to treatfabric surfaces.

“Fabric care active agent” as used herein means an active agent thatwhen applied to fabric provides a benefit and/or improvement to thefabric. Non-limiting examples of benefits and/or improvements to fabricinclude cleaning (for example by surfactants), stain removal, stainreduction, wrinkle removal, color restoration, static control, wrinkleresistance, permanent press, wear reduction, wear resistance, pillremoval, pill resistance, soil removal, soil resistance (including soilrelease), shape retention, shrinkage reduction, softness, fragrance,anti-bacterial, anti-viral, odor resistance, and odor removal.

“Dishwashing active agent” as used herein means an active agent thatwhen applied to dishware, glassware, pots, pans, utensils, and/orcooking sheets provides a benefit and/or improvement to the dishware,glassware, plastic items, pots, pans and/or cooking sheets. Non-limitingexample of benefits and/or improvements to the dishware, glassware,plastic items, pots, pans, utensils, and/or cooking sheets include foodand/or soil removal, cleaning (for example by surfactants) stainremoval, stain reduction, grease removal, water spot removal and/orwater spot prevention, glass and metal care, sanitization, shining, andpolishing.

“Hard surface active agent” as used herein means an active agent whenapplied to floors, countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, baths,and/or toilets provides a benefit and/or improvement to the floors,countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, baths, and/or toilets.Non-limiting example of benefits and/or improvements to the floors,countertops, sinks, windows, mirrors, showers, baths, and/or toiletsinclude food and/or soil removal, cleaning (for example by surfactants),stain removal, stain reduction, grease removal, water spot removaland/or water spot prevention, limescale removal, disinfection, shining,polishing, and freshening.

“Weight ratio” as used herein means the dry filament basis and/or drydetergent product basis-forming material (g or %) on a dry weight basisin the filament to the weight of additive, such as active agent(s) (g or%) on a dry weight basis in the filament.

“Hydroxyl polymer” as used herein includes any hydroxyl-containingpolymer that can be incorporated into a filament, for example as afilament-forming material. In one example, the hydroxyl polymer includesgreater than 10% and/or greater than 20% and/or greater than 25% byweight hydroxyl moieties.

“Biodegradable” as used herein means, with respect to a material, suchas a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, such as afilament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymer is capableof undergoing and/or does undergo physical, chemical, thermal and/orbiological degradation in a municipal solid waste composting facilitysuch that at least 5% and/or at least 7% and/or at least 10% of theoriginal filament and/or polymer is converted into carbon dioxide after30 days as measured according to the OECD (1992) Guideline for theTesting of Chemicals 301B; Ready Biodegradability—CO₂ Evolution(Modified Sturm Test) Test incorporated herein by reference.

“Non-biodegradable” as used herein means, with respect to a material,such as a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, suchas a filament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymer is notcapable of undergoing physical, chemical, thermal and/or biologicaldegradation in a municipal solid waste composting facility such that atleast 5% of the original filament and/or polymer is converted intocarbon dioxide after 30 days as measured according to the OECD (1992)Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals 301B; Ready Biodegradability—CO₂Evolution (Modified Sturm Test) Test incorporated herein by reference.

“Non-thermoplastic” as used herein means, with respect to a material,such as a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, suchas a filament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymerexhibits no melting point and/or softening point, which allows it toflow under pressure, in the absence of a plasticizer, such as water,glycerin, sorbitol, urea and the like.

“Non-thermoplastic, biodegradable filament” as used herein means afilament that exhibits the properties of being biodegradable andnon-thermoplastic as defined above.

“Non-thermoplastic, non-biodegradable filament” as used herein means afilament that exhibits the properties of being non-biodegradable andnon-thermoplastic as defined above.

“Thermoplastic” as used herein means, with respect to a material, suchas a filament as a whole and/or a polymer within a filament, such as afilament-forming material, that the filament and/or polymer exhibits amelting point and/or softening point at a certain temperature, whichallows it to flow under pressure, in the absence of a plasticizer

“Thermoplastic, biodegradable filament” as used herein means a filamentthat exhibits the properties of being biodegradable and thermoplastic asdefined above.

“Thermoplastic, non-biodegradable filament” as used herein means afilament that exhibits the properties of being non-biodegradable andthermoplastic as defined above.

“Polar solvent-soluble material” as used herein means a material that ismiscible in a polar solvent. In one example, a polar solvent-solublematerial is miscible in alcohol and/or water. In other words, a polarsolvent-soluble material is a material that is capable of forming astable (does not phase separate for greater than 5 minutes after formingthe homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with a polar solvent,such as alcohol and/or water at ambient conditions.

“Alcohol-soluble material” as used herein means a material that ismiscible in alcohol. In other words, a material that is capable offorming a stable (does not phase separate for greater than 5 minutesafter forming the homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with analcohol at ambient conditions.

“Water-soluble material” as used herein means a material that ismiscible in water. In other words, a material that is capable of forminga stable (does not separate for greater than 5 minutes after forming thehomogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with water at ambientconditions.

“Non-polar solvent-soluble material” as used herein means a materialthat is miscible in a non-polar solvent. In other words, a non-polarsolvent-soluble material is a material that is capable of forming astable (does not phase separate for greater than 5 minutes after formingthe homogeneous solution) homogeneous solution with a non-polar solvent.

“Ambient conditions” as used herein means 73° F.±4° F. (about 23°C.±2.2° C.) and a relative humidity of 50%±10%.

“Weight average molecular weight” as used herein means the weightaverage molecular weight as determined using gel permeationchromatography according to the protocol found in Colloids and SurfacesA. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pg. 107-121.

“Length” as used herein, with respect to a filament, means the lengthalong the longest axis of the filament from one terminus to the otherterminus. If a filament has a kink, curl or curves in it, then thelength is the length along the entire path of the filament.

“Diameter” as used herein, with respect to a filament, is measuredaccording to the Diameter Test Method described herein. In one example,a filament can exhibit a diameter of less than 100 μm and/or less than75 μm and/or less than 50 μm and/or less than 25 μm and/or less than 20μm and/or less than 15 μm and/or less than 10 μm and/or less than 6 μmand/or greater than 1 μm and/or greater than 3 μm.

“Triggering condition” as used herein in one example means anything, asan act or event, that serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitatesa change in the filament, such as a loss or altering of the filament'sphysical structure and/or a release of an additive, such as an activeagent. In another example, the triggering condition may be present in anenvironment, such as water, when a filament and/or nonwoven web and/orfilm is added to the water. In other words, nothing changes in the waterexcept for the fact that the filament and/or nonwoven and/or film isadded to the water.

“Morphology changes” as used herein with respect to a filament'smorphology changing means that the filament experiences a change in itsphysical structure. Non-limiting examples of morphology changes for afilament include dissolution, melting, swelling, shrinking, breakinginto pieces, exploding, lengthening, shortening, and combinationsthereof. The filaments may completely or substantially lose theirfilament physical structure or they may have their morphology changed orthey may retain or substantially retain their filament physicalstructure as they are exposed to conditions of intended use.

“Total level” as used herein, for example with respect to the totallevel of one or more active agents present in the filament and/ordetergent product, means the sum of the weights or weight percent of allof the subject materials, for example active agents. In other words, afilament and/or detergent product may comprise 25% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry detergent product basis of an anionicsurfactant, 15% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry detergentproduct basis of a nonionic surfactant, 10% by weight of a chelant, and5% of a perfume so that the total level of active agents present in thefilament is greater than 50%; namely 55% by weight on a dry filamentbasis and/or dry detergent product basis.

“Detergent product” as used herein means a solid form, for example arectangular solid, sometimes referred to as a sheet, that comprises oneor more active agents, for example a fabric care active agent, adishwashing active agent, a hard surface active agent, and mixturesthereof. In one example, a detergent product can comprise one or moresurfactants, one or more enzymes, one or more perfumes and/or one ormore suds suppressors. In another example, a detergent product cancomprise a builder and/or a chelating agent. In another example, adetergent product can comprise a bleaching agent.

“Web” as used herein means a collection of formed fibers and/orfilaments, such as a fibrous structure, and/or a detergent productformed of fibers and/or filaments, such as continuous filaments, of anynature or origin associated with one another. In one example, the web isa rectangular solid comprising fibers and/or filaments that is formedvia a spinning process, not a casting process.

“Nonwoven web” for purposes of the present disclosure as used herein andas defined generally by European Disposables and Nonwovens Association(EDANA) means a sheet of fibers and/or filaments, such as continuousfilaments, of any nature or origin, that have been formed into a web byany means, and may be bonded together by any means, with the exceptionof weaving or knitting. Felts obtained by wet milling are not nonwovenwebs. In one example, a nonwoven web means an orderly arrangement offilaments within a structure in order to perform a function. In oneexample, a nonwoven web is an arrangement comprising a plurality of twoor more and/or three or more filaments that are inter-entangled orotherwise associated with one another to form a nonwoven web. In oneexample, a nonwoven web may comprise, in addition to the filaments, oneor more solid additives, such as particulates and/or fibers.

“Particulates” as used herein means granular substances and/or powders.In one example, the filaments and/or fibers can be converted intopowders.

“Equivalent diameter” is used herein to define a cross-sectional areaand a surface area of an individual starch filament, without regard tothe shape of the cross-sectional area. The equivalent diameter is aparameter that satisfies the equation S=¼πD², where S is the filament'scross-sectional area (without regard to its geometrical shape),π=3.14159, and D is the equivalent diameter. For example, thecross-section having a rectangular shape formed by two mutually oppositesides “A” and two mutually opposite sides “B” can be expressed as:S=A×B. At the same time, this cross-sectional area can be expressed as acircular area having the equivalent diameter D. Then, the equivalentdiameter D can be calculated from the formula: S=¼πD², where S is theknown area of the rectangle. (Of course, the equivalent diameter of acircle is the circle's real diameter.) An equivalent radius is ½ of theequivalent diameter.

“Pseudo-thermoplastic” in conjunction with “materials” or “compositions”is intended to denote materials and compositions that by the influenceof elevated temperatures, dissolution in an appropriate solvent, orotherwise can be softened to such a degree that they can be brought intoa flowable state, in which condition they can be shaped as desired, andmore specifically, processed to form starch filaments suitable forforming a fibrous structure. Pseudo-thermoplastic materials may beformed, for example, under combined influence of heat and pressure.Pseudo-thermoplastic materials differ from thermoplastic materials inthat the softening or liquefying of the pseudo-thermoplastics is causedby softeners or solvents present, without which it would be impossibleto bring them by any temperature or pressure into a soft or flowablecondition necessary for shaping, since pseudo thermoplastics do not“melt” as such. The influence of water content on the glass transitiontemperature and melting temperature of starch can be measured bydifferential scanning calorimetery as described by Zeleznak and Hosenyin “Cereal Chemistry”, Vol. 64, No. 2, pp. 121-124, 1987.Pseudo-thermoplastic melt is a pseudo-thermoplastic material in aflowable state.

“Micro-geometry” and permutations thereof refers to relatively small(i.e., “microscopical”) details of a fibrous structure, such as, forexample, surface texture, without regard to the structure's overallconfiguration, as opposed to its overall (i. e., “macroscopical”)geometry. Terms containing “macroscopical” or “macroscopically” refer toan overall geometry of a structure, or a portion thereof, underconsideration when it is placed in a two-dimensional configuration, suchas the X-Y plane. For example, on a macroscopical level, the fibrousstructure, when it is disposed on a flat surface, comprises a relativelythin and flat sheet. On a microscopical level, however, the structurecan comprise a plurality of first regions that form a first plane havinga first elevation, and a plurality of domes or “pillows” dispersedthroughout and outwardly extending from the framework region to form asecond elevation.

“Intensive properties” are properties which do not have a valuedependent upon an aggregation of values within the plane of the fibrousstructure. A common intensive property is an intensive propertypossessed by more than one region. Such intensive properties of thefibrous structure include, without limitation, density, basis weight,elevation, and opacity. For example, if a density is a common intensiveproperty of two differential regions, a value of the density in oneregion can differ from a value of the density in the other region.Regions (such as, for example, a first region and a second region) areidentifiable areas distinguishable from one another by distinctintensive properties.

“Glass transition temperature,” T_(g), is the temperature at which thematerial changes from a viscous or rubbery condition to a hard andrelatively brittle condition.

“Machine direction” (or MD) is the direction parallel to the flow of thefibrous structure being made through the manufacturing equipment.“Cross-machine direction” (or CD) is the direction perpendicular to themachine direction and parallel to the general plane of the fibrousstructure being made.

“X,” “Y,” and “Z” designate a conventional system of Cartesiancoordinates, wherein mutually perpendicular coordinates “X” and “Y”define a reference X-Y plane, and “Z” defines an orthogonal to the X-Yplane. “Z-direction” designates any direction perpendicular to the X-Yplane. Analogously, the term “Z-dimension” means a dimension, distance,or parameter measured parallel to the Z-direction. When an element, suchas, for example, a molding member curves or otherwise deplanes, the X-Yplane follows the configuration of the element.

“Substantially continuous” region refers to an area within which one canconnect any two points by an uninterrupted line running entirely withinthat area throughout the line's length. That is, the substantiallycontinuous region has a substantial “continuity” in all directionsparallel to the first plane and is terminated only at edges of thatregion. The term “substantially,” in conjunction with continuous, isintended to indicate that while an absolute continuity is preferred,minor deviations from the absolute continuity may be tolerable as longas those deviations do not appreciably affect the performance of thefibrous structure (or a molding member) as designed and intended.

“Substantially semi-continuous” region refers an area which has“continuity” in all, but at least one, directions parallel to the firstplane, and in which area one cannot connect any two points by anuninterrupted line running entirely within that area throughout theline's length. The semi-continuous framework may have continuity only inone direction parallel to the first plane. By analogy with thecontinuous region, described above, while an absolute continuity in all,but at least one, directions is preferred, minor deviations from such acontinuity may be tolerable as long as those deviations do notappreciably affect the performance of the fibrous structure.

“Discontinuous” regions refer to discrete, and separated from oneanother areas that are discontinuous in all directions parallel to thefirst plane.

“Flexibility” is the ability of a material or structure to deform undera given load without being broken, regardless of the ability orinability of the material or structure to return itself to itspre-deformation shape.

“Molding member” is a structural element that can be used as a supportfor the filaments that can be deposited thereon during a process ofmaking a fibrous structure, and as a forming unit to form (or “mold”) adesired microscopical geometry of a fibrous structure. The moldingmember may comprise any element that has the ability to impart athree-dimensional pattern to the structure being produced thereon, andincludes, without limitation, a stationary plate, a belt, acylinder/roll, a woven fabric, and a band.

“Melt-spinning” is a process by which a thermoplastic orpseudo-thermoplastic material is turned into fibrous material throughthe use of an attenuation force. Melt-spinning can include mechanicalelongation, melt-blowing, spun-bonding, and electro-spinning.

“Mechanical elongation” is the process inducing a force on a fiberthread by having it come into contact which a driven surface, such as aroll, to apply a force to the melt thereby making fibers.

“Melt-blowing” is a process for producing fibrous webs or articlesdirectly from polymers or resins using high-velocity air or anotherappropriate force to attenuate the filaments. In a melt-blowing processthe attenuation force is applied in the form of high speed air as thematerial exits the die or spinnerette.

“Spun-bonding” comprises the process of allowing the fiber to drop apredetermined distance under the forces of flow and gravity and thenapplying a force via high velocity air or another appropriate source.

“Electro-spinning” is a process that uses electric potential as theforce to attenuate the fibers.

“Dry-spinning,” also commonly known as “solution-spinning,” involves theuse of solvent drying to stabilize fiber formation. A material isdissolved in an appropriate solvent and is attenuated via mechanicalelongation, melt-blowing, spun-bonding, and/or electro-spinning. Thefiber becomes stable as the solvent is evaporated.

“Wet-spinning” comprises dissolving a material in a suitable solvent andforming small fibers via mechanical elongation, melt-blowing,spun-bonding, and/or electro-spinning. As the fiber is formed it is runinto a coagulation system normally comprising a bath filled with anappropriate solution that solidifies the desired material, therebyproducing stable fibers.

“Melting temperature” means the temperature or the range of temperatureat or above which the starch composition melts or softens sufficientlyto be capable of being processed into starch filaments. It is to beunderstood that some starch compositions are pseudo-thermoplasticcompositions and as such may not exhibit pure “melting” behavior.

“Processing temperature” means the temperature of the starchcomposition, at which temperature the starch filaments can be formed,for example, by attenuation.

“Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unit area of a samplereported in gsm and is measured according to the Basis Weight TestMethod described herein.

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises oneor more fibrous filaments and/or fibers. In one example, a fibrousstructure means an orderly arrangement of filaments and/or fibers withina structure in order to perform a function. Non-limiting examples offibrous structures can include detergent products, fabrics (includingwoven, knitted, and non-woven), and absorbent pads (for example fordiapers or feminine hygiene products). The fibrous structures of thepresent invention may be homogeneous or may be layered. If layered, thefibrous structures may comprise at least two and/or at least threeand/or at least four and/or at least five layers, for example one ormore fibrous element layers, one or more particle layers and/or one ormore fibrous element/particle mixture layer.

As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” when used herein, for example,“an anionic surfactant” or “a fiber” is understood to mean one or moreof the material that is claimed or described.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwiseindicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the totalcomposition unless otherwise indicated.

Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are inreference to the active level of that component or composition, and areexclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products,which may be present in commercially available sources.

II. Fibrous Structures

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, a fibrous structure 20 can be formed fromfilaments having at least a first region (e.g., a network region 22) anda second region (e.g., discrete zones 24). Each of the first and secondregions has at least one common intensive property, such as, forexample, a basis weight or average density. The common intensiveproperty of the first region can differ in value from the commonintensive property of the second region. For example, the averagedensity of the first region can be higher than the average density ofthe second region. FIG. 3 illustrates in plan view a portion of afibrous structure 20 wherein the network region 22 is illustrated asdefining hexagons, although it is to be understood that otherpreselected patterns can be used.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of fibrous structure 20 taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 3. As can be seen from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,the network region 22 is essentially monoplanar. The second region ofthe fibrous structure 20 may comprise a plurality of discrete zones 24dispersed throughout the entire network region 22 and essentially eachis encircled by network region 22. The shape of the discrete zones 24can be defined by the network region 22. As shown in FIG. 4, discretezones 24, appear to extend from (protrude from) the plane formed bynetwork region 22 toward an imaginary observer looking in the directionof arrow T. When viewed by an imaginary observer looking in thedirection indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4, the second region comprisesarcuate shaped voids which appear to be cavities or dimples.

As shown in another embodiment, FIGS. 5-6, first and second regions 122and 124 of the fibrous structure 120 can also differentiate in theirrespective micro-geometry. In FIGS. 5-6, for example, the first region122 comprises a substantially continuous network forming a first planeat a first elevation when the fibrous structure 120 is disposed on aflat surface; and the second region 124 can comprise a plurality ofdiscrete zones dispersed throughout the substantially continuousnetwork. These discrete zones may, in some embodiments, comprisediscrete protuberances, or “pillows,” outwardly extending from thenetwork region to form a second elevation greater than the firstelevation, relative to the first plane. It is to be understood thatpillows can also comprise a substantially continuous pattern and asubstantially semi-continuous pattern.

In one embodiment, the substantially continuous network region can havea relatively high density, and the pillows have a relatively lowdensity. In still other embodiments, the substantially continuousnetwork region can have a relatively low density, and the pillows canhave a relatively high density. In certain embodiments, a fibrousstructure may exhibit a basis weight of about 3000 gsm or less; incertain embodiments, a fibrous structure may exhibit a basis weight ofabout 1500 gsm or less; in certain embodiments, a fibrous structure mayexhibit a basis weight of about 1000 gsm or less; in certainembodiments, a fibrous structure may exhibit a basis weight of about 700gsm or less; in certain embodiments, a fibrous structure may exhibit abasis weight of about 500 gsm or less; in certain embodiments, a fibrousstructure may exhibit a basis weight of about 300 gsm or less; incertain embodiments a fibrous structure may exhibit a basis weight ofabout 200 gsm or less; and in certain embodiments, a fibrous structuremay exhibit a basis weight of about 150 or less as measured according tothe Basis Weight Test Method described herein.

In other embodiments, a second region can comprise a semi-continuousnetwork. A second region can comprise discrete areas, similar to thoseshown in FIGS. 5-6; and semi-continuous areas, extending in at least onedirection as seen in the X-Y plane (i.e., a plane formed by the firstregion 122 of the fibrous structure 120 disposed on a flat surface).

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fibrous structure 120comprises a third region 130 having at least one intensive property thatis common with and differs in value from the intensive property of thefirst region 122 and the intensive property of the second region 124.For example, the first region 122 can have the common intensive propertyhaving a first value, the second region 124 can have the commonintensive property having a second value, and the third region 130 canhave the common intensive property having a third value, wherein thefirst value can be different from the second value, and the third valuecan be different from the second value and the first value. In oneembodiment, such a third region can include a transition region 135 (seeFIG. 6) located between the first region 122 and the second region 124.The transition region 135 is the area or region between which thenetwork region and discrete zones transition.

A transition region may be adjacent to a network region and one of thediscrete zones. A transition region can have a transition region width.In certain embodiments, the transition region width can be from about100 microns to about 5000 microns; in certain embodiments from about 400microns to about 4000 microns; and in certain embodiments from about 600microns to about 3000 microns.

When a fibrous structure 120 including at least three differentialregions 122, 124, 130, as described herein, is disposed on a horizontalreference plane (e.g., the X-Y plane), the first region 122 defines theplane having the first elevation, and the second region 124 extendstherefrom to define the second elevation. An embodiment is contemplated,in which the third region 130 defines a third elevation, wherein atleast one of the first, second, and third elevations is different fromat least one of the other elevations. For example, the third elevationcan be intermediate the first and second elevations.

Suitable fibrous structures having a network region and a plurality ofdiscrete zones can have predetermined elevations. For example, incertain embodiments, one of the network region or the discrete zones canhave an elevation from about 50 microns to about 5000 microns; incertain embodiments, one of the network region or the discrete zones canhave an elevation from about 100 microns to about 2000 microns; and incertain embodiments, one of the network region or the discrete zones canhave an elevation from about 150 microns to about 1500 microns.

The following table shows, without limitation, some possiblecombinations of embodiments of the fibrous structure 120 comprising atleast three regions having differential (i.e., high, medium, or low)intensive properties. All of these embodiments are included in the scopeof the present disclosure.

INTENSIVE PROPERTIES HIGH MEDIUM LOW Continuous DiscontinuousDiscontinuous Continuous Discontinuous — Continuous — DiscontinuousSemi-continuous Semi-continuous Semi-continuous Semi-continuousSemi-continuous Discontinuous Semi-continuous Semi-continuous —Semi-continuous Discontinuous Semi-continuous Semi-continuousDiscontinuous Discontinuous Semi-continuous — Semi-continuousDiscontinuous Continuous Discontinuous Discontinuous Continuous —Discontinuous Semi-continuous Semi-continuous DiscontinuousSemi-continuous Discontinuous Discontinuous Discontinuous ContinuousDiscontinuous Discontinuous Semi-continuous Discontinuous DiscontinuousDiscontinuous Discontinuous — Continuous — Continuous Discontinuous —Semi-continuous Semi-continuous — Discontinuous Continuous

Suitable fibrous structures as described herein can have network regionsand discrete zones having different (e.g., not the same) averagedensities. The average density for either the network region or thediscrete zones can be from about 0.05 g/cc to about 0.80 g/cc, incertain embodiments, from about 0.10 g/cc to about 0.50 g/cc and incertain embodiments from about 0.15 g/cc to about 0.40 g/cc. In otherembodiments, the average density of the network region can be from about0.05 g/cc to about 0.15 g/cc and the average density of the discretezones can be from about 0.15 g/cc to about 0.80 g/cc; or average densityof the network region can be from about 0.07 g/cc to about 0.13 g/cc andthe average density of the discrete zones can be from about 0.25 g/cc toabout 0.70 g/cc; or the average density of the network region can fromabout 0.08 g/cc to about 0.12 g/cc and the average density of thediscrete zones can from about 0.40 g/cc to about 0.60 g/cc. In othercertain embodiments, the average density values can be vice-versa foreach of the network region and the discrete zones. Considering thenumber of fibers underlying a unit area projected onto the portion ofthe fibrous structure under consideration, the ratio of the averagedensity of the network region to the average density of the discretezones can be greater than 1. In another embodiment, the ratio of theaverage density of the network region to the average density of thediscrete zones can be less than 1. In certain embodiments, a transitionregion described herein can have a different average density than atleast one of the network region or discrete zones. In one embodiment, atransition region can have an average density value in between those ofthe network region and the discrete zones.

In certain embodiments, the basis weight of the network region to thebasis weight to the discrete zones is from about 0.5 to about 1.5; andin certain embodiments, the basis weight of the network region to thebasis weight of the discrete zones is from about 0.8 to about 1.2.

In certain embodiments, the network region can comprises from about 5%to about 95% of the total area of a fibrous structure; and in certainembodiments, from about 20% to about 40% of the total area of a fibrousstructure. In certain embodiments, the plurality of discrete regions cancomprise from about 5% to about 95% of the total area of a fibrousstructure; and in certain embodiments, from about 60% to about 80% ofthe total area of a fibrous structure.

In certain embodiments, suitable fibrous structures can have a watercontent (% moisture) from 0% to about 20%; in certain embodiments,fibrous structures can have a water content from about 1% to about 15%;and in certain embodiments, fibrous structures can have a water contentfrom about 5% to about 10%.

In certain embodiments, suitable fibrous structure can exhibit ageometric mean TEA of about 100 g*in/in² or more, and/or about 150g*in/in² or more, and/or about 200 g*in/in² or more, and/or about 300g*in/in² or more according to the Tensile Test Method described herein.

In certain embodiments, suitable fibrous structure can exhibit ageometric mean modulus of about of about 5000 g/cm or less, and/or 4000g/cm or less, and/or about 3500 g/cm or less, and/or about 3000 g/cm orless, and/or about 2700 g/cm or less according to the Tensile TestMethod described herein.

In certain embodiments, suitable fibrous structures as described hereincan exhibit a geometric mean peak elongation of about 10% or greater,and/or about 20% or greater, and/or about 30% or greater, and/or about50% or greater, and/or about 60% or greater, and/or about 65% orgreater, and/or about 70% or greater as measured according to theTensile Test Method described herein.

In certain embodiments, suitable fibrous structures as described hereincan exhibit a geometric mean tensile strength of about 200 g/in or more,and/or about 300 g/in or more, and/or about 400 g/in or more, and/orabout 500 g/in or more, and/or about 600 g/in or more as measureaccording to the Tensile Test Method described herein.

Other suitable arrangements of fibrous structures are described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,637,859 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2003/0203196.

Additional, non-limiting examples of other suitable fibrous structuresare disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/583,018filed concurrently with the present application and is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The use of such fibrous structure as described herein as detergentproducts provides additional benefits from the prior art. By having atleast two regions within the fibrous structure having differentintensive properties, the fibrous structure can provide sufficientintegrity prior to use, but during use (e.g., in washer) the fibrousstructure can sufficiently dissolve and release the active agent. Inaddition, such fibrous structures are non-adhesive to any articles beingwashed (e.g., clothes), or washing machine surfaces, and such fibrousstructures will not block the drainage unit of the washing machines.

A. Filaments

Filaments can include one or more filament-forming materials. Inaddition to the filament-forming materials, the filament may furthercomprise one or more active agents that are releasable from thefilament, such as when the filament is exposed to conditions of intendeduse, wherein the total level of the one or more filament-formingmaterials present in the filament is less than 80% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry detergent product basis and the total level ofthe one or more active agents present in the filament is greater than20% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry detergent productbasis, is provided.

In another example, a filament may comprise one or more filament-formingmaterials and one or more active agents wherein the total level offilament-forming materials present in the filament can be from about 5%to less than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry detergentproduct basis and the total level of active agents present in thefilament can be greater than 20% to about 95% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry detergent product basis.

In one example, a filament may comprise at least 10% and/or at least 15%and/or at least 20% and/or less than less than 80% and/or less than 75%and/or less than 65% and/or less than 60% and/or less than 55% and/orless than 50% and/or less than 45% and/or less than 40% by weight on adry filament basis and/or dry detergent product basis of thefilament-forming materials and greater than 20% and/or at least 35%and/or at least 40% and/or at least 45% and/or at least 50% and/or atleast 60% and/or less than 95% and/or less than 90% and/or less than 85%and/or less than 80% and/or less than 75% by weight on a dry filamentbasis and/or dry detergent product basis of active agents.

In one example, the filament can comprise at least 5% and/or at least10% and/or at least 15% and/or at least 20% and/or less than 50% and/orless than 45% and/or less than 40% and/or less than 35% and/or less than30% and/or less than 25% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or drydetergent product basis of the filament-forming materials and greaterthan 50% and/or at least 55% and/or at least 60% and/or at least 65%and/or at least 70% and/or less than 95% and/or less than 90% and/orless than 85% and/or less than 80% and/or less than 75% by weight on adry filament basis and/or dry detergent product basis of active agents.In one example, the filament can comprise greater than 80% by weight ona dry filament basis and/or dry detergent product basis of activeagents.

In another example, the one or more filament-forming materials andactive agents are present in the filament at a weight ratio of totallevel of filament-forming materials to active agents of 4.0 or lessand/or 3.5 or less and/or 3.0 or less and/or 2.5 or less and/or 2.0 orless and/or 1.85 or less and/or less than 1.7 and/or less than 1.6and/or less than 1.5 and/or less than 1.3 and/or less than 1.2 and/orless than 1 and/or less than 0.7 and/or less than 0.5 and/or less than0.4 and/or less than 0.3 and/or greater than 0.1 and/or greater than0.15 and/or greater than 0.2.

In still another example, a filament may comprise from about 10% and/orfrom about 15% to less than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and/ordry detergent product basis of a filament-forming material, such aspolyvinyl alcohol polymer and/or a starch polymer, and greater than 20%to about 90% and/or to about 85% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry detergent product basis of an active agent. The filament mayfurther comprise a plasticizer, such as glycerin and/or pH adjustingagents, such as citric acid.

In yet another example, a filament may comprise from about 10% and/orfrom about 15% to less than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and/ordry detergent product basis of a filament-forming material, such aspolyvinyl alcohol polymer and/or a starch polymer, and greater than 20%to about 90% and/or to about 85% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry detergent product basis of an active agent, wherein theweight ratio of filament-forming material to active agent is 4.0 orless. The filament may further comprise a plasticizer, such as glycerinand/or pH adjusting agents, such as citric acid.

In even another example, a filament may comprise one or morefilament-forming materials and one or more active agents selected fromthe group consisting of: enzymes, bleaching agents, builder, chelants,sensates, dispersants, and mixtures thereof that are releasable and/orreleased when the filament is exposed to conditions of intended use. Inone example, the filament comprises a total level of filament formingmaterials of less than 95% and/or less than 90% and/or less than 80%and/or less than 50% and/or less than 35% and/or to about 5% and/or toabout 10% and/or to about 20% by weight on a dry filament basis and/ordry detergent product basis and a total level of active agents selectedfrom the group consisting of: enzymes, bleaching agents, builder,chelants, and mixtures thereof of greater than 5% and/or greater than10% and/or greater than 20% and/or greater than 35% and/or greater than50% and/or greater than 65% and/or to about 95% and/or to about 90%and/or to about 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or drydetergent product basis. In one example, the active agent comprises oneor more enzymes. In another example, the active agent comprises one ormore bleaching agents. In yet another example, the active agentcomprises one or more builders. In still another example, the activeagent comprises one or more chelants.

In yet another example, filaments may comprise active agents that maycreate health and/or safety concerns if they become airborne. Forexample, the filament may be used to inhibit enzymes within the filamentfrom becoming airborne.

In one example, the filaments may be meltblown filaments. In anotherexample, the filaments may be spunbond filaments. In another example,the filaments may be hollow filaments prior to and/or after release ofone or more of its active agents.

Suitable filaments may be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. The filaments maybe surface treated and/or internally treated to change the inherenthydrophilic or hydrophobic properties of the filament.

In one example, the filament exhibits a diameter of less than 100 μmand/or less than 75 μm and/or less than 50 μm and/or less than 30 μmand/or less than 10 μm and/or less than 5 μm and/or less than 1 μm asmeasured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein. Inanother example, the filament can exhibit a diameter of greater than 1μm as measured according to the Diameter Test Method described herein.The diameter of a filament may be used to control the rate of release ofone or more active agents present in the filament and/or the rate ofloss and/or altering of the filament's physical structure.

The filament may comprise two or more different active agents. In oneexample, the filament comprises two or more different active agents,wherein the two or more different active agents are compatible with oneanother. In another example, a filament may comprise two or moredifferent active agents, wherein the two or more different active agentsare incompatible with one another.

In one example, the filament may comprise an active agent within thefilament and an active agent on an external surface of the filament,such as coating on the filament. The active agent on the externalsurface of the filament may be the same or different from the activeagent present in the filament. If different, the active agents may becompatible or incompatible with one another.

In one example, one or more active agents may be uniformly distributedor substantially uniformly distributed throughout the filament. Inanother example, one or more active agents may be distributed asdiscrete regions within the filament. In still another example, at leastone active agent is distributed uniformly or substantially uniformlythroughout the filament and at least another active agent is distributedas one or more discrete regions within the filament. In still yetanother example, at least one active agent is distributed as one or morediscrete regions within the filament and at least another active agentis distributed as one or more discrete regions different from the firstdiscrete regions within the filament.

The filaments may be used as discrete articles. In one example, thefilaments may be applied to and/or deposited on a carrier substrate, forexample a wipe, paper towel, bath tissue, facial tissue, sanitarynapkin, tampon, diaper, adult incontinence article, washcloth, dryersheet, laundry sheet, laundry bar, dry cleaning sheet, netting, filterpaper, fabrics, clothes, undergarments, and the like.

In addition, a plurality of the filaments may be collected and pressedinto a film thus resulting in the film comprising the one or morefilament-forming materials and the one or more active agents that arereleasable from the film, such as when the film is exposed to conditionsof intended use.

In one example, a fibrous structure having such filaments can exhibit anaverage disintegration time of about 60 seconds (s) or less, and/orabout 30 s or less, and/or about 10 s or less, and/or about 5 s or less,and/or about 2.0 s or less, and/or 1.5 s or less as measured accordingto the Dissolution Test Method described herein.

In one example, a fibrous structure having such filaments can exhibit anaverage dissolution time of about 600 seconds (s) or less, and/or about400 s or less, and/or about 300 s or less, and/or about 200 s or less,and/or about 175 s or less as measured according to the Dissolution TestMethod described herein.

In one example, a fibrous structure having such filaments can exhibit anaverage disintegration time per gsm of sample of about 1.0 second/gsm(s/gsm) or less, and/or about 0.5 s/gsm or less, and/or about 0.2 s/gsmor less, and/or about 0.1 s/gsm or less, and/or about 0.05 s/gsm orless, and/or about 0.03 s/gsm or less as measured according to theDissolution Test Method described herein.

In one example, a fibrous structure having such filaments can exhibit anaverage dissolution time per gsm of sample of about 10 seconds/gsm(s/gsm) or less, and/or about 5.0 s/gsm or less, and/or about 3.0 s/gsmor less, and/or about 2.0 s/gsm or less, and/or about 1.8 s/gsm or less,and/or about 1.5 s/gsm or less as measured according to the DissolutionTest Method described herein.

B. Filament-Forming Material

A filament-forming material may include any suitable material, such as apolymer or monomers capable of producing a polymer that exhibitsproperties suitable for making a filament, such as by a spinningprocess.

In one example, the filament-forming material may comprise a polarsolvent-soluble material, such as an alcohol-soluble material and/or awater-soluble material.

In another example, the filament-forming material may comprise anon-polar solvent-soluble material.

In still another example, the filament forming material may comprise apolar solvent-soluble material and be free (less than 5% and/or lessthan 3% and/or less than 1% and/or 0% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry detergent product basis) of non-polar solvent-solublematerials.

In yet another example, the filament-forming material may be afilm-forming material. In still yet another example, thefilament-forming material may be synthetic or of natural origin and itmay be chemically, enzymatically, and/or physically modified.

In even another example, the filament-forming material may comprise apolymer selected from the group consisting of: polymers derived fromacrylic monomers such as the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylicmonomers and ethylenically unsaturated monomers, polyvinyl alcohol,polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, copolymers of acrylic acid and methylacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyalkylene oxides, starch and starchderivatives, pullulan, gelatin, hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses,methycelluloses, and carboxymethycelluloses.

In still another example, the filament-forming material may comprises apolymer selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinyl alcohol derivatives, carboxylated polyvinylalcohol, sulfonatedpolyvinyl alcohol, starch, starch derivatives, cellulose derivatives,hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, sodium alginate,hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, chitosan, chitosan derivatives,polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

In another example, the filament-forming material comprises a polymer isselected from the group consisting of: pullulan, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum,tragacanth gum, guar gum, acacia gum, Arabic gum, polyacrylic acid,methylmethacrylate copolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, dextrin, pectin,chitin, levan, elsinan, collagen, gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein,casein, polyvinyl alcohol, starch, starch derivatives, hemicellulose,hemicellulose derivatives, proteins, chitosan, chitosan derivatives,polyethylene glycol, tetramethylene ether glycol, hydroxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof.

i. Polar Solvent-Soluble Materials

Non-limiting examples of polar solvent-soluble materials include polarsolvent-soluble polymers. The polar solvent-soluble polymers may besynthetic or natural original and may be chemically and/or physicallymodified. In one example, the polar solvent-soluble polymers exhibit aweight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g/mol and/or at least20,000 g/mol and/or at least 40,000 g/mol and/or at least 80,000 g/moland/or at least 100,000 g/mol and/or at least 1,000,000 g/mol and/or atleast 3,000,000 g/mol and/or at least 10,000,000 g/mol and/or at least20,000,000 g/mol and/or to about 40,000,000 g/mol and/or to about30,000,000 g/mol.

In one example, the polar solvent-soluble polymers are selected from thegroup consisting of: alcohol-soluble polymers, water-soluble polymersand mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of water-soluble polymersinclude water-soluble hydroxyl polymers, water-soluble thermoplasticpolymers, water-soluble biodegradable polymers, water-solublenon-biodegradable polymers and mixtures thereof. In one example, thewater-soluble polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol. In another example,the water-soluble polymer comprises starch. In yet another example, thewater-soluble polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol and starch.

a. Water-Soluble Hydroxyl Polymers

Non-limiting examples of water-soluble hydroxyl polymers can includepolyols, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol derivatives,polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, starch, starch derivatives, starchcopolymers, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, chitosan copolymers,cellulose derivatives such as cellulose ether and ester derivatives,cellulose copolymers, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives,hemicellulose copolymers, gums, arabinans, galactans, proteins andvarious other polysaccharides and mixtures thereof.

In one example, a water-soluble hydroxyl polymer can include apolysaccharide.

Polysaccharides” as used herein means natural polysaccharides andpolysaccharide derivatives and/or modified polysaccharides. Suitablewater-soluble polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, starches,starch derivatives, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, cellulosederivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives, gums, arabinans,galactans and mixtures thereof. The water-soluble polysaccharide mayexhibit a weight average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about40,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than 100,000 g/mol and/or greater than1,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than 3,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than3,000,000 to about 40,000,000 g/mol.

The water-soluble polysaccharides may comprise non-cellulose and/ornon-cellulose derivative and/or non-cellulose copolymer water-solublepolysaccharides. Such non-cellulose water-soluble polysaccharides may beselected from the group consisting of: starches, starch derivatives,chitosan, chitosan derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulosederivatives, gums, arabinans, galactans and mixtures thereof.

In another example, a water-soluble hydroxyl polymer can comprise anon-thermoplastic polymer.

The water-soluble hydroxyl polymer may have a weight average molecularweight of from about 10,000 g/mol to about 40,000,000 g/mol and/orgreater than 100,000 g/mol and/or greater than 1,000,000 g/mol and/orgreater than 3,000,000 g/mol and/or greater than 3,000,000 g/mol toabout 40,000,000 g/mol. Higher and lower molecular weight water-solublehydroxyl polymers may be used in combination with hydroxyl polymershaving a certain desired weight average molecular weight.

Well known modifications of water-soluble hydroxyl polymers, such asnatural starches, include chemical modifications and/or enzymaticmodifications. For example, natural starch can be acid-thinned,hydroxy-ethylated, hydroxy-propylated, and/or oxidized. In addition, thewater-soluble hydroxyl polymer may comprise dent corn starch.

Naturally occurring starch is generally a mixture of linear amylose andbranched amylopectin polymer of D-glucose units. The amylose is asubstantially linear polymer of D-glucose units joined by (1,4)-α-Dlinks. The amylopectin is a highly branched polymer of D-glucose unitsjoined by (1,4)-α-D links and (1,6)-α-D links at the branch points.Naturally occurring starch typically contains relatively high levels ofamylopectin, for example, corn starch (64-80% amylopectin), waxy maize(93-100% amylopectin), rice (83-84% amylopectin), potato (about 78%amylopectin), and wheat (73-83% amylopectin). Though all starches arepotentially useful herein, most are commonly practiced with highamylopectin natural starches derived from agricultural sources, whichoffer the advantages of being abundant in supply, easily replenishableand inexpensive.

As used herein, “starch” includes any naturally occurring unmodifiedstarches, modified starches, synthetic starches and mixtures thereof, aswell as mixtures of the amylose or amylopectin fractions; the starch maybe modified by physical, chemical, or biological processes, orcombinations thereof. The choice of unmodified or modified starch maydepend on the end product desired. In one embodiment, the starch orstarch mixture useful has an amylopectin content from about 20% to about100%, more typically from about 40% to about 90%, even more typicallyfrom about 60% to about 85% by weight of the starch or mixtures thereof.

Suitable naturally occurring starches can include, but are not limitedto, corn starch, potato starch, sweet potato starch, wheat starch, sagopalm starch, tapioca starch, rice starch, soybean starch, arrow rootstarch, amioca starch, bracken starch, lotus starch, waxy maize starch,and high amylose corn starch. Naturally occurring starches particularly,corn starch and wheat starch, are the preferred starch polymers due totheir economy and availability.

Polyvinyl alcohols herein can be grafted with other monomers to modifyits properties. A wide range of monomers has been successfully graftedto polyvinyl alcohol. Non-limiting examples of such monomers includevinyl acetate, styrene, acrylamide, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, methyl methacrylate,methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, sodium vinylsulfonate,sodium allylsulfonate, sodium methylallyl sulfonate, sodiumphenylallylether sulfonate, sodium phenylmethallylether sulfonate,2-acrylamido-methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPs), vinylidene chloride,vinyl chloride, vinyl amine and a variety of acrylate esters.

In one example, the water-soluble hydroxyl polymer is selected from thegroup consisting of: polyvinyl alcohols, hydroxymethylcelluloses,hydroxyethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses and mixturesthereof. A non-limiting example of a suitable polyvinyl alcohol includesthose commercially available from Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America,LLC (Dallas, Tex.) under the CELVOL® trade name. A non-limiting exampleof a suitable hydroxypropylmethylcellulose includes those commerciallyavailable from the Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) under theMETHOCEL® trade name including combinations with above mentionedpolyvinyl alcohols.

b. Water-Soluble Thermoplastic Polymers

Non-limiting examples of suitable water-soluble thermoplastic polymersinclude thermoplastic starch and/or starch derivatives, polylactic acid,polyhydroxyalkanoate, polycaprolactone, polyesteramides and certainpolyesters, and mixtures thereof.

The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers may be hydrophilic orhydrophobic. The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers may be surfacetreated and/or internally treated to change the inherent hydrophilic orhydrophobic properties of the thermoplastic polymer.

The water-soluble thermoplastic polymers may comprise biodegradablepolymers.

Any suitable weight average molecular weight for the thermoplasticpolymers may be used. For example, the weight average molecular weightfor a thermoplastic polymer can be greater than about 10,000 g/moland/or greater than about 40,000 g/mol and/or greater than about 50,000g/mol and/or less than about 500,000 g/mol and/or less than about400,000 g/mol and/or less than about 200,000 g/mol.

ii. Non-Polar Solvent-Soluble Materials

Non-limiting examples of non-polar solvent-soluble materials includenon-polar solvent-soluble polymers. Non-limiting examples of suitablenon-polar solvent-soluble materials include cellulose, chitin, chitinderivatives, polyolefins, polyesters, copolymers thereof, and mixturesthereof. Non-limiting examples of polyolefins include polypropylene,polyethylene and mixtures thereof. A non-limiting example of a polyesterincludes polyethylene terephthalate.

The non-polar solvent-soluble materials may comprise a non-biodegradablepolymer such as polypropylene, polyethylene and certain polyesters.

Any suitable weight average molecular weight for the thermoplasticpolymers may be used. For example, the weight average molecular weightfor a thermoplastic polymer can be greater than about 10,000 g/moland/or greater than about 40,000 g/mol and/or greater than about 50,000g/mol and/or less than about 500,000 g/mol and/or less than about400,000 g/mol and/or less than about 200,000 g/mol.

C. Active Agents

Active agents are a class of additives that are designed and intended toprovide a benefit to something other than the filament itself, such asproviding a benefit to an environment external to the filament. Activeagents may be any suitable additive that produces an intended effectunder intended use conditions of the filament. For example, the activeagent may be selected from the group consisting of: personal cleansingand/or conditioning agents such as hair care agents such as shampooagents and/or hair colorant agents, hair conditioning agents, skin careagents, sunscreen agents, and skin conditioning agents; laundry careand/or conditioning agents such as fabric care agents, fabricconditioning agents, fabric softening agents, fabric anti-wrinklingagents, fabric care anti-static agents, fabric care stain removalagents, soil release agents, dispersing agents, suds suppressing agents,suds boosting agents, anti-foam agents, and fabric refreshing agents;liquid and/or powder dishwashing agents (for hand dishwashing and/orautomatic dishwashing machine applications), hard surface care agents,and/or conditioning agents and/or polishing agents; other cleaningand/or conditioning agents such as antimicrobial agents, perfume,bleaching agents (such as oxygen bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide,percarbonate bleaching agents, perborate bleaching agents, chlorinebleaching agents), bleach activating agents, chelating agents, builders,lotions, brightening agents, air care agents, carpet care agents, dyetransfer-inhibiting agents, water-softening agents, water-hardeningagents, pH adjusting agents, enzymes, flocculating agents, effervescentagents, preservatives, cosmetic agents, make-up removal agents,lathering agents, deposition aid agents, coacervate-forming agents,clays, thickening agents, latexes, silicas, drying agents, odor controlagents, antiperspirant agents, cooling agents, warming agents, absorbentgel agents, anti-inflammatory agents, dyes, pigments, acids, and bases;liquid treatment active agents; agricultural active agents; industrialactive agents; ingestible active agents such as medicinal agents, teethwhitening agents, tooth care agents, mouthwash agents, periodontal gumcare agents, edible agents, dietary agents, vitamins, minerals;water-treatment agents such as water clarifying and/or waterdisinfecting agents, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of suitable cosmetic agents, skin care agents,skin conditioning agents, hair care agents, and hair conditioning agentsare described in CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, TheCosmetic, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1988, 1992.

One or more classes of chemicals may be useful for one or more of theactive agents listed above. For example, surfactants may be used for anynumber of the active agents described above. Likewise, bleaching agentsmay be used for fabric care, hard surface cleaning, dishwashing and eventeeth whitening. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the active agents will be selected based upon thedesired intended use of the filament and/or nonwoven made therefrom.

For example, if a filament and/or nonwoven made therefrom is to be usedfor hair care and/or conditioning then one or more suitable surfactants,such as a lathering surfactant could be selected to provide the desiredbenefit to a consumer when exposed to conditions of intended use of thefilament and/or nonwoven incorporating the filament.

In one example, if a filament and/or nonwoven made therefrom is designedor intended to be used for laundering clothes in a laundry operation,then one or more suitable surfactants and/or enzymes and/or buildersand/or perfumes and/or suds suppressors and/or bleaching agents could beselected to provide the desired benefit to a consumer when exposed toconditions of intended use of the filament and/or nonwoven incorporatingthe filament. In another example, if the filament and/or nonwoven madetherefrom are designed to be used for laundering clothes in a laundryoperation and/or cleaning dishes in a dishwashing operation, then thefilament may comprise a laundry detergent composition or dishwashingdetergent composition.

In one example, the active agent comprises a non-perfume active agent.In another example, the active agent comprises a non-surfactant activeagent. In still another example, the active agent comprises anon-ingestible active agent, in other words an active agent other thanan ingestible active agent.

i. Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable surfactants include anionicsurfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionicsurfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.Co-surfactants may also be included in the filaments. For filamentsdesigned for use as laundry detergents and/or dishwashing detergents,the total level of surfactants should be sufficient to provide cleaningincluding stain and/or odor removal, and generally ranges from about0.5% to about 95%. Further, surfactant systems comprising two or moresurfactants that are designed for use in filaments for laundrydetergents and/or dishwashing detergents may include all-anionicsurfactant systems, mixed-type surfactant systems comprisinganionic-nonionic surfactant mixtures, or nonionic-cationic surfactantmixtures or low-foaming nonionic surfactants.

The surfactants herein can be linear or branched. In one example,suitable linear surfactants include those derived from agrochemical oilssuch as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, soybean oil, or othervegetable-based oils.

a. Anionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable anionic surfactants include alkylsulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, branched alkyl sulfates, branched alkylalkoxylates, branched alkyl alkoxylate sulfates, mid-chain branchedalkyl aryl sulfonates, sulfated monoglycerides, sulfonated olefins,alkyl aryl sulfonates, primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, alkylsulfosuccinates, acyl taurates, acyl isethionates, alkyl glycerylethersulfonate, sulfonated methyl esters, sulfonated fatty acids, alkylphosphates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl sulfoacetates,acylated peptides, alkyl ether carboxylates, acyl lactylates, anionicfluorosurfactants, sodium lauroyl glutamate, and combinations thereof.

Alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates suitable for use herein includematerials with the respective formula ROSO₃M and RO(C₂H₄O)_(x)SO₃M,wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl of from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms,x is 1 to 10, and M is a water-soluble cation such as ammonium, sodium,potassium and triethanolamine. Other suitable anionic surfactants aredescribed in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, North AmericanEdition (1986), Allured Publishing Corp. and McCutcheon's, FunctionalMaterials, North American Edition (1992), Allured Publishing Corp.

In one example, anionic surfactants useful in the filaments can includeC₉-C₁₅ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), C₈-C₂₀ alkyl ether sulfates, forexample alkyl poly(ethoxy) sulfates, C₈-C₂₀ alkyl sulfates, and mixturesthereof. Other anionic surfactants include methyl ester sulfonates(MES), secondary alkane sulfonates, methyl ester ethoxylates (MEE),sulfonated estolides, and mixtures thereof.

In another example, the anionic surfactant is selected from the groupconsisting of: C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates (“LAS”) and primary,branched-chain and random C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl sulfates (“AS”), C₁₀-C₁₈secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CH₃(CH₂)_(x)(CHOSO₃⁻M⁺)CH₃ and CH₃(CH₂)_(y)(CHOSO₃ ⁻M⁺)CH₂CH₃ where x and (y+1) areintegers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is awater-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates suchas oleyl sulfate, the C₁₀-C₁₈ alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters, theC₁₀-C₁₈ sulfated alkyl polyglycosides, the C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates(“AE_(x)S”) wherein x is from 1-30, and C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxycarboxylates, for example comprising 1-5 ethoxy units, mid-chainbranched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,181 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303;modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO99/05242 and WO 99/05244; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefinsulfonate (AOS).

Other suitable anionic surfactants that may be used are alkyl estersulfonate surfactants including sulfonated linear esters of C₈-C₂₀carboxylic acids (i.e., fatty acids). Other suitable anionic surfactantsthat may be used include salts of soap, C₈-C₂₂ primary of secondaryalkanesulfonates, C₈-C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylicacids, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles ofethylene oxide); alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerolsulfonates, fatty oleoyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxideether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates suchas the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates andsulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinates (for example saturatedand unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) and diesters of sulfosuccinates (forexample saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₂ diesters), sulfates ofalkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside, andalkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formulaRO(CH₂CH₂O)_(k)—CH₂COO-M+ wherein R is a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integerfrom 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation.

Other exemplary anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts ofC₁₀-C₁₆ alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, preferably C₁₁-C₁₄ alkyl benzenesulfonic acids. In one example, the alkyl group is linear. Such linearalkyl benzene sulfonates are known as “LAS”. Such surfactants and theirpreparation are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and2,477,383. IN another example, the linear alkyl benzene sulfonatesinclude the sodium and/or potassium linear straight chain alkylbenzenesulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkylgroup is from about 11 to 14. Sodium C₁₁-C₁₄ LAS, e.g., C₁₂ LAS, is aspecific example of such surfactants.

Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant comprises linear orbranched ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants. Such materials, alsoknown as alkyl ether sulfates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, arethose which correspond to the formula: R′—O—(C₂H₄O)_(n)—SO₃M wherein R′is a C₈-C₂₀ alkyl group, n is from about 1 to 20, and M is asalt-forming cation. In a specific embodiment, R′ is C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl, n isfrom about 1 to 15, and M is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium,or alkanolammonium. In more specific embodiments, R′ is a C₁₂-C₁₆, n isfrom about 1 to 6 and M is sodium. The alkyl ether sulfates willgenerally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying R′ chainlengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtureswill inevitably also contain some non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfatematerials, i.e., surfactants of the above ethoxylated alkyl sulfateformula wherein n=0. Non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates may also be addedseparately to the compositions and used as or in any anionic surfactantcomponent which may be present. Specific examples of non-alkoyxylated,e.g., non-ethoxylated, alkyl ether sulfate surfactants are thoseproduced by the sulfation of higher C₈-C₂₀ fatty alcohols. Conventionalprimary alkyl sulfate surfactants have the general formula: R″OSO₃ ⁻M⁺wherein R″ is typically a C₈-C₂₀ alkyl group, which may be straightchain or branched chain, and M is a water-solubilizing cation. Inspecific embodiments, R″ is a C₁₀-C₁₅ alkyl group, and M is alkalimetal, more specifically R″ is C₁₂-C₁₄ alkyl and M is sodium. Specific,non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: a)C₁₁-C₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS); b) C₁₀-C₂₀ primary,branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); c) C₁₀-C₁₈ secondary(2,3)-alkyl sulfates having following formulae:

wherein M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge neutrality, andall M units, whether associated with a surfactant or adjunct ingredient,can either be a hydrogen atom or a cation depending upon the formisolated by the artisan or the relative pH of the system wherein thecompound is used, with non-limiting examples of suitable cationsincluding sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof, and x is aninteger of at least 7 and/or at least about 9, and y is an integer of atleast 8 and/or at least 9; d) C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AE_(z)S)wherein z, for example, is from 1-30; e) C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl alkoxycarboxylates preferably comprising 1-5 ethoxy units; f) mid-chainbranched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,020,303 and6,060,443; g) mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,181 and 6,020,303; h) modified alkylbenzenesulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244,WO 99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241, WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO00/23548; i) methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and j) alpha-olefin sulfonate(AOS).b. Cationic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants include, but arenot limited to, those having the formula (I):

in which R¹, R², R³, and R⁴ are each independently selected from (a) analiphatic group of from 1 to 26 carbon atoms, or (b) an aromatic,alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene, alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylarylgroup having up to 22 carbon atoms; and X is a salt-forming anion suchas those selected from halogen, (e.g. chloride, bromide), acetate,citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate, nitrate, sulphate, andalkylsulphate radicals. In one example, the alkylsulphate radical ismethosulfate and/or ethosulfate.

Suitable quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants of general formula (I)may include cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammoniumchloride (BTAC), stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetylpyridiniumchloride, octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride,hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, octyldimethylbenzylammoniumchloride, decyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride,stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, didodecyldimethylammoniumchloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctadecyldimethylammoniumchloride, distearyldimethylammonium chloride, tallowtrimethylammoniumchloride, cocotrimethylammonium chloride,2-ethylhexylstearyldimethylammonium chloride,dipalmitoylethyldimethylammonium chloride, PEG-2 oleylammonium chlorideand salts of these, where the chloride is replaced by halogen, (e.g.,bromide), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate nitrate,sulphate, or alkylsulphate.

Non-limiting examples of suitable cationic surfactants are commerciallyavailable under the trade names ARQUAD® from Akzo Nobel Surfactants(Chicago, Ill.).

In one example, suitable cationic surfactants include quaternaryammonium surfactants, for example that have up to 26 carbon atomsinclude: alkoxylate quaternary ammonium (AQA) surfactants as discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,769; dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,922; dimethyl hydroxyethyl laurylammonium chloride; polyamine cationic surfactants as discussed in WO98/35002, WO 98/35003, WO 98/35004, WO 98/35005, and WO 98/35006;cationic ester surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,042,4,239,660 4,260,529 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,844; and amino surfactantsas discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,825 and WO 00/47708, for exampleamido propyldimethyl amine (APA).

Other suitable cationic surfactants include salts of primary, secondary,and tertiary fatty amines. In one embodiment, the alkyl groups of suchamines have from about 12 to about 22 carbon atoms, and can besubstituted or unsubstituted. These amines are typically used incombination with an acid to provide the cationic species.

The cationic surfactant may include cationic ester surfactants havingthe formula:

wherein R₁ is a C₅-C₃₁ linear or branched alkyl, alkenyl or alkarylchain or M⁻.N⁺(R₆R₇R₈)(CH₂)_(s); X and Y, independently, are selectedfrom the group consisting of COO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONHand NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH orNHCOO group; R₂, R₃, R₄, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are independently selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkenyl andalkaryl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R₅ is independentlyH or a C₁-C₃ alkyl group; wherein the values of m, n, s and tindependently lie in the range of from 0 to 8, the value of b lies inthe range from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v independently areeither 0 or 1 with the proviso that at least one of u or v must be 1;and wherein M is a counter anion. In one example, R₂, R₃ and R₄ areindependently selected from CH₃ and —CH₂CH₂OH. In another example, M isselected from the group consisting of halide, methyl sulfate, sulfate,nitrate, chloride, bromide, or iodide.

The cationic surfactants may be chosen for use in personal cleansingapplications. In one example, such cationic surfactants may be includedin the filament and/or fiber at a total level by weight of from about0.1% to about 10% and/or from about 0.5% to about 8% and/or from about1% to about 5% and/or from about 1.4% to about 4%, in view of balanceamong ease-to-rinse feel, rheology and wet conditioning benefits. Avariety of cationic surfactants including mono- and di-alkyl chaincationic surfactants can be used in the compositions. In one example,the cationic surfactants include mono-alkyl chain cationic surfactantsin view of providing desired gel matrix and wet conditioning benefits.The mono-alkyl cationic surfactants are those having one long alkylchain which has from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and/or from 16 to 22 carbonatoms and/or from 18 to 22 carbon atoms in its alkyl group, in view ofproviding balanced wet conditioning benefits. The remaining groupsattached to nitrogen are independently selected from an alkyl group offrom 1 to about 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxy, polyoxyalkylene,alkylamido, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having up to about 4carbon atoms. Such mono-alkyl cationic surfactants include, for example,mono-alkyl quaternary ammonium salts and mono-alkyl amines. Mono-alkylquaternary ammonium salts include, for example, those having anon-functionalized long alkyl chain. Mono-alkyl amines include, forexample, mono-alkyl amidoamines and salts thereof. Other cationicsurfactants such as di-alkyl chain cationic surfactants may also be usedalone, or in combination with the mono-alkyl chain cationic surfactants.Such di-alkyl chain cationic surfactants include, for example, dialkyl(14-18) dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallow alkyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride, dihydrogenated tallow alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dicetyl dimethyl ammoniumchloride.

In one example the cationic ester surfactants are hydrolyzable under theconditions of a laundry wash.

c. Nonionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants includealkoxylated alcohols (AE's) and alkyl phenols, polyhydroxy fatty acidamides (PFAA's), alkyl polyglycosides (APG's), C₁₀-C₁₈ glycerol ethers,and the like.

In one example, non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants usefulinclude: C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl ethoxylates, such as, NEODOL® nonionicsurfactants from Shell; C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol alkoxylates wherein thealkoxylate units are a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units;C₁₂-C₁₈ alcohol and C₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol condensates with ethyleneoxide/propylene oxide block alkyl polyamine ethoxylates such asPLURONIC® from BASF; C₁₄-C₂₂ mid-chain branched alcohols, BA, asdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,322; C₁₄-C₂₂ mid-chain branched alkylalkoxylates, BAE_(x), wherein x is from 1-30, as discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,153,577, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,303 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,856;alkylpolysaccharides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 Llenado,issued Jan. 26, 1986; specifically alkylpolyglycosides as discussed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,483,780 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,779; polyhydroxydetergent acid amides as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,528; and ethercapped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol surfactants as discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,482,994 and WO 01/42408.

Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants suitableinclude: Tergitol® 15-S-9 (the condensation product of C₁₁-C₁₅ linearalcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide) and Tergitol® 24-L-6 NMW (thecondensation product of C₁₂-C₁₄ primary alcohol with 6 moles ethyleneoxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), both marketed by DowChemical Company; Neodol® 45-9 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol® 23-3 (thecondensation product of C₁₂-C₁₃ linear alcohol with 3 moles of ethyleneoxide), Neodol® 45-7 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcoholwith 7 moles of ethylene oxide) and Neodol® 45-5 (the condensationproduct of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide)marketed by Shell Chemical Company; Kyro® EOB (the condensation productof C₁₃-C₁₅ alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), marketed by The Procter& Gamble Company; and Genapol LA O3O or O5O (the condensation product ofC₁₂-C₁₄ alcohol with 3 or 5 moles of ethylene oxide) marketed byHoechst. The nonionic surfactants may exhibit an HLB range of from about8 to about 17 and/or from about 8 to about 14. Condensates withpropylene oxide and/or butylene oxides may also be used.

Non-limiting examples of semi-polar nonionic surfactants useful include:water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties containing fromabout 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxidescontaining one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atomsand 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl moieties andhydroxyalkyl moieties containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms;and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl moieties and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1to about 3 carbon atoms. See WO 01/32816, U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,704, andU.S. Pat. No. 4,133,779.

Another class of nonionic surfactants that may be used includepolyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants of the following formula:

wherein R¹ is H, or C₁₋₄ hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propylor a mixture thereof, R₂ is C₅₋₃₁ hydrocarbyl, and Z is apolyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivativethereof. In one example, R¹ is methyl, R₂ is a straight C₁₁₋₁₅ alkyl orC₁₅₋₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl chain such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof,and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose,maltose, lactose, in a reductive amination reaction. Typical examplesinclude the C₁₂-C₁₈ and C₁₂-C₁₄ N-methylglucamides.

Alkylpolyaccharide surfactants may also be used as a nonionicsurfactant.

Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkylphenols are also suitable for use as a nonionic surfactant. Thesecompounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having analkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, in eithera straight-chain or branched-chain configuration with the alkyleneoxide. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type includeIgepal® CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation; and Triton® X-45,X-114, X-100 and X-102, all marketed by the Dow Chemical Company.

For automatic dishwashing applications, low foaming nonionic surfactantsmay be used. Suitable low foaming nonionic surfactants are disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 7,271,138 col. 7, line 10 to col. 7, line 60.

Examples of other suitable nonionic surfactants are thecommercially-available Pluronic® surfactants, marketed by BASF, thecommercially available Tetronic® compounds, marketed by BASF, and thecommercially available Plurafac® surfactants, marketed by BASF.

d. Zwitterionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of zwitterionic or ampholytic surfactants include:derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives ofheterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternaryammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. SeeU.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 at column 19, line 38 through column 22, line48, for examples of zwitterionic surfactants; betaines, including alkyldimethyl betaine and cocodimethyl amidopropyl betaine, C₈ to C₁₈ (forexample from C₁₂ to C₁₈) amine oxides and sulfo and hydroxy betaines,such as N-alkyl-N,N-dimethylammino-1-propane sulfonate where the alkylgroup can be C₈ to C₁₈ and in certain embodiments from C₁₀ to C₁₄.

e. Amphoteric Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants include: aliphaticderivatives of secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives ofheterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphaticradical can be straight- or branched-chain and mixtures thereof. One ofthe aliphatic substituents may contain at least about 8 carbon atoms,for example from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least onecontains an anionic water-solubilizing group, e.g. carboxy, sulfonate,sulfate. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 at column 19, lines 18-35, forsuitable examples of amphoteric surfactants.

f. Co-Surfactants

In addition to the surfactants described above, the filaments may alsocontain co-surfactants. In the case of laundry detergents and/ordishwashing detergents, they typically contain a mixture of surfactanttypes in order to obtain broad-scale cleaning performance over a varietyof soils and stains and under a variety of usage conditions. A widerange of these co-surfactants can be used in the filaments. A typicallisting of anionic, nonionic, ampholytic and zwitterionic classes, andspecies of these co-surfactants, is given herein above, and may also befound in U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,961. In other words, the surfactant systemsherein may also include one or more co-surfactants selected fromnonionic, cationic, anionic, zwitterionic or mixtures thereof. Theselection of co-surfactant may be dependent upon the desired benefit.The surfactant system may comprise from 0% to about 10%, or from about0.1% to about 5%, or from about 1% to about 4% by weight of thecomposition of other co-surfactant(s).

g. Amine-Neutralized Anionic Surfactants

The anionic surfactants and/or anionic co-surfactants may exist in anacid form, which may be neutralized to form a surfactant salt. In oneexample, the filaments may comprise a surfactant salt form. Typicalagents for neutralization include a metal counterion base such ashydroxides, eg, NaOH or KOH. Other agents for neutralizing the anionicsurfactants and anionic co-surfactants in their acid forms includeammonia, amines, or alkanolamines. In one example, the neutralizingagent comprises an alkanolamine, for example an alkanolamine selectedfrom the group consisting of: monoethanolamine, diethanolamine,triethanolamine, and other linear or branched alkanolamines known in theart; for example, 2-amino-1-propanol, 1-aminopropanol,monoisopropanolamine, or 1-amino-3-propanol. Amine neutralization may bedone to a full or partial extent, e.g. part of the anionic surfactantmix may be neutralized with sodium or potassium and part of the anionicsurfactant mix may be neutralized with amines or alkanolamines.

ii. Perfumes

One or more perfume and/or perfume raw materials such as accords and/ornotes may be incorporated into one or more of the filaments. The perfumemay comprise a perfume ingredient selected from the group consisting of:aldehyde perfume ingredients, ketone perfume ingredients, and mixturesthereof.

One or more perfumes and/or perfumery ingredients may be included in thefilaments. A wide variety of natural and synthetic chemical ingredientsuseful as perfumes and/or perfumery ingredients include but not limitedto aldehydes, ketones, esters, and mixtures thereof. Also included arevarious natural extracts and essences which can comprise complexmixtures of ingredients, such as orange oil, lemon oil, rose extract,lavender, musk, patchouli, balsamic essence, sandalwood oil, pine oil,cedar, and the like. Finished perfumes can comprise extremely complexmixtures of such ingredients. In one example, a finished perfumetypically comprises from about 0.01% to about 2%, by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry web material basis.

iii. Perfume Delivery Systems

Certain perfume delivery systems, methods of making certain perfumedelivery systems and the uses of such perfume delivery systems aredisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0275866.Non-limiting examples of perfume delivery systems include the following:

Polymer Assisted Delivery (PAD): This perfume delivery technology usespolymeric materials to deliver perfume materials. Classicalcoacervation, water soluble or partly soluble to insoluble charged orneutral polymers, liquid crystals, hot melts, hydrogels, perfumedplastics, microcapsules, nano- and micro-latexes, polymeric filmformers, and polymeric absorbents, polymeric adsorbents, etc. are someexamples. PAD includes but is not limited to:

a.) Matrix Systems: The fragrance is dissolved or dispersed in a polymermatrix or particle. Perfumes, for example, may be 1) dispersed into thepolymer prior to formulating into the product or 2) added separatelyfrom the polymer during or after formulation of the product. Diffusionof perfume from the polymer is a common trigger that allows or increasesthe rate of perfume release from a polymeric matrix system that isdeposited or applied to the desired surface (situs), although many othertriggers are know that may control perfume release. Absorption and/oradsorption into or onto polymeric particles, films, solutions, and thelike are aspects of this technology. Nano- or micro-particles composedof organic materials (e.g., latexes) are examples. Suitable particlesinclude a wide range of materials including, but not limited topolyacetal, polyacrylate, polyacrylic, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide,polyaryletherketone, polybutadiene, polybutylene, polybutyleneterephthalate, polychloroprene, poly ethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate,polycarbonate, polychloroprene, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyketone,polyester, polyethylene, polyetherimide, polyethersulfone,polyethylenechlorinates, polyimide, polyisoprene, polylactic acid,polymethylpentene, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide,polyphthalamide, polypropylene, polystyrene, polysulfone, polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl chloride, as well as polymers or copolymers based onacrylonitrile-butadiene, cellulose acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate,ethylene vinyl alcohol, styrene-butadiene, vinyl acetate-ethylene, andmixtures thereof.

“Standard” systems refer to those that are “pre-loaded” with the intentof keeping the pre-loaded perfume associated with the polymer until themoment or moments of perfume release. Such polymers may also suppressthe neat product odor and provide a bloom and/or longevity benefitdepending on the rate of perfume release. One challenge with suchsystems is to achieve the ideal balance between 1) in-product stability(keeping perfume inside carrier until you need it) and 2) timely release(during use or from dry situs). Achieving such stability is particularlyimportant during in-product storage and product aging. This challenge isparticularly apparent for aqueous-based, surfactant-containing products,such as heavy duty liquid laundry detergents. Many “Standard” matrixsystems available effectively become “Equilibrium” systems whenformulated into aqueous-based products. One may select an “Equilibrium”system or a Reservoir system, which has acceptable in-product diffusionstability and available triggers for release (e.g., friction).“Equilibrium” systems are those in which the perfume and polymer may beadded separately to the product, and the equilibrium interaction betweenperfume and polymer leads to a benefit at one or more consumer touchpoints (versus a free perfume control that has no polymer-assisteddelivery technology). The polymer may also be pre-loaded with perfume;however, part or all of the perfume may diffuse during in-productstorage reaching an equilibrium that includes having desired perfume rawmaterials (PRMs) associated with the polymer. The polymer then carriesthe perfume to the surface, and release is typically via perfumediffusion. The use of such equilibrium system polymers has the potentialto decrease the neat product odor intensity of the neat product (usuallymore so in the case of pre-loaded standard system). Deposition of suchpolymers may serve to “flatten” the release profile and provideincreased longevity. As indicated above, such longevity would beachieved by suppressing the initial intensity and may enable theformulator to use more high impact or low odor detection threshold (ODT)or low Kovats Index (KI) PRMs to achieve FMOT benefits without initialintensity that is too strong or distorted. It is important that perfumerelease occurs within the time frame of the application to impact thedesired consumer touch point or touch points. Suitable micro-particlesand micro-latexes as well as methods of making same may be found in USPA2005/0003980 A1. Matrix systems also include hot melt adhesives andperfume plastics. In addition, hydrophobically modified polysaccharidesmay be formulated into the perfumed product to increase perfumedeposition and/or modify perfume release. All such matrix systems,including for example polysaccharides and nanolatexes may be combinedwith other PDTs, including other PAD systems such as PAD reservoirsystems in the form of a perfume microcapsule (PMC). Polymer AssistedDelivery (PAD) matrix systems may include those described in thefollowing references: U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2004/0110648 A1; 2004/0092414 A1; 2004/0091445 A1 and 2004/0087476 A1;and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,531,444; 6,024,943; 6,042,792; 6,051,540; 4,540,721and 4,973,422.

Silicones are also examples of polymers that may be used as PDT, and canprovide perfume benefits in a manner similar to the polymer-assisteddelivery “matrix system”. Such a PDT is referred to as silicone-assisteddelivery (SAD). One may pre-load silicones with perfume, or use them asan equilibrium system as described for PAD. Suitable silicones as wellas making same may be found in WO 2005/102261; U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0124530A1; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2005/0143282A1; and WO 2003/015736. Functionalized silicones may also beused as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/003913A1. Examples of silicones include polydimethylsiloxane andpolyalkyldimethylsiloxanes. Other examples include those with aminefunctionality, which may be used to provide benefits associated withamine-assisted delivery (AAD) and/or polymer-assisted delivery (PAD)and/or amine-reaction products (ARP). Other such examples may be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,852; and U.S. Patent Application Nos.2004/0058845 A1; 2004/0092425 A1 and 2005/0003980 A1.

b.) Reservoir Systems: Reservoir systems are also known as a core-shelltype technology, or one in which the fragrance is surrounded by aperfume release controlling membrane, which may serve as a protectiveshell. The material inside the microcapsule is referred to as the core,internal phase, or fill, whereas the wall is sometimes called a shell,coating, or membrane. Microparticles or pressure sensitive capsules ormicrocapsules are examples of this technology. Microcapsules of thecurrent invention are formed by a variety of procedures that include,but are not limited to, coating, extrusion, spray-drying, interfacial,in-situ and matrix polymerization. The possible shell materials varywidely in their stability toward water. Among the most stable arepolyoxymethyleneurea (PMU)-based materials, which may hold certain PRMsfor even long periods of time in aqueous solution (or product). Suchsystems include but are not limited to urea-formaldehyde and/ormelamine-formaldehyde. Stable shell materials include polyacrylate-basedmaterials obtained as reaction product of an oil soluble or dispersibleamine with a multifunctional acrylate or methacrylate monomer oroligomer, an oil soluble acid and an initiator, in presence of ananionic emulsifier comprising a water soluble or water dispersibleacrylic acid alkyl acid copolymer, an alkali or alkali salt.Gelatin-based microcapsules may be prepared so that they dissolvequickly or slowly in water, depending for example on the degree ofcross-linking Many other capsule wall materials are available and varyin the degree of perfume diffusion stability observed. Without wishingto be bound by theory, the rate of release of perfume from a capsule,for example, once deposited on a surface is typically in reverse orderof in-product perfume diffusion stability. As such, urea-formaldehydeand melamine-formaldehyde microcapsules for example, typically require arelease mechanism other than, or in addition to, diffusion for release,such as mechanical force (e.g., friction, pressure, shear stress) thatserves to break the capsule and increase the rate of perfume (fragrance)release. Other triggers include melting, dissolution, hydrolysis orother chemical reaction, electromagnetic radiation, and the like. Theuse of pre-loaded microcapsules requires the proper ratio of in-productstability and in-use and/or on-surface (on-situs) release, as well asproper selection of PRMs. Microcapsules that are based onurea-formaldehyde and/or melamine-formaldehyde are relatively stable,especially in near neutral aqueous-based solutions. These materials mayrequire a friction trigger which may not be applicable to all productapplications. Other microcapsule materials (e.g., gelatin) may beunstable in aqueous-based products and may even provide reduced benefit(versus free perfume control) when in-product aged. Scratch and snifftechnologies are yet another example of PAD. Perfume microcapsules (PMC)may include those described in the following references: U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos.: 2003/0125222 A1; 2003/215417 A1;2003/216488 A1; 2003/158344 A1; 2003/165692 A1; 2004/071742 A1;2004/071746 A1; 2004/072719 A1; 2004/072720 A1; 2006/0039934 A1;2003/203829 A1; 2003/195133 A1; 2004/087477 A1; 2004/0106536 A1; andU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,645,479 B1; 6,200,949 B1; 4,882,220; 4,917,920;4,514,461; 6,106,875 and 4,234,627, 3,594,328 and U.S. RE 32713, PCTPatent Application: WO 2009/134234 A1, WO 2006/127454 A2, WO 2010/079466A2, WO 2010/079467 A2, WO 2010/079468 A2, WO 2010/084480 A2.

Molecule-Assisted Delivery (MAD): Non-polymer materials or molecules mayalso serve to improve the delivery of perfume. Without wishing to bebound by theory, perfume may non-covalently interact with organicmaterials, resulting in altered deposition and/or release. Non-limitingexamples of such organic materials include but are not limited tohydrophobic materials such as organic oils, waxes, mineral oils,petrolatum, fatty acids or esters, sugars, surfactants, liposomes andeven other perfume raw material (perfume oils), as well as natural oils,including body and/or other soils. Perfume fixatives are yet anotherexample. In one aspect, non-polymeric materials or molecules have a CLog P greater than about 2. Molecule-Assisted Delivery (MAD) may alsoinclude those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,119,060 and 5,506,201.

Fiber-Assisted Delivery (FAD): The choice or use of a situs itself mayserve to improve the delivery of perfume. In fact, the situs itself maybe a perfume delivery technology. For example, different fabric typessuch as cotton or polyester will have different properties with respectto ability to attract and/or retain and/or release perfume. The amountof perfume deposited on or in fibers may be altered by the choice offiber, and also by the history or treatment of the fiber, as well as byany fiber coatings or treatments. Fibers may be woven and non-woven aswell as natural or synthetic. Natural fibers include those produced byplants, animals, and geological processes, and include but are notlimited to cellulose materials such as cotton, linen, hemp jute, flax,ramie, and sisal, and fibers used to manufacture paper and cloth.Fiber-Assisted Delivery may consist of the use of wood fiber, such asthermomechanical pulp and bleached or unbleached kraft or sulfite pulps.Animal fibers consist largely of particular proteins, such as silk,sinew, catgut and hair (including wool). Polymer fibers based onsynthetic chemicals include but are not limited to polyamide nylon, PETor PBT polyester, phenol-formaldehyde (PF), polyvinyl alcohol fiber(PVOH), polyvinyl chloride fiber (PVC), polyolefins (PP and PE), andacrylic polymers. All such fibers may be pre-loaded with a perfume, andthen added to a product that may or may not contain free perfume and/orone or more perfume delivery technologies. In one aspect, the fibers maybe added to a product prior to being loaded with a perfume, and thenloaded with a perfume by adding a perfume that may diffuse into thefiber, to the product. Without wishing to be bound by theory, theperfume may absorb onto or be adsorbed into the fiber, for example,during product storage, and then be released at one or more moments oftruth or consumer touch points.

Amine Assisted Delivery (AAD): The amine-assisted delivery technologyapproach utilizes materials that contain an amine group to increaseperfume deposition or modify perfume release during product use. Thereis no requirement in this approach to pre-complex or pre-react theperfume raw material(s) and amine prior to addition to the product. Inone aspect, amine-containing AAD materials suitable for use herein maybe non-aromatic; for example, polyalkylimine, such as polyethyleneimine(PEI), or polyvinylamine (PVAm), or aromatic, for example,anthranilates. Such materials may also be polymeric or non-polymeric. Inone aspect, such materials contain at least one primary amine. Thistechnology will allow increased longevity and controlled release also oflow ODT perfume notes (e.g., aldehydes, ketones, enones) via aminefunctionality, and delivery of other PRMs, without being bound bytheory, via polymer-assisted delivery for polymeric amines. Withouttechnology, volatile top notes can be lost too quickly, leaving a higherratio of middle and base notes to top notes. The use of a polymericamine allows higher levels of top notes and other PRMS to be used toobtain freshness longevity without causing neat product odor to be moreintense than desired, or allows top notes and other PRMs to be used moreefficiently. In one aspect, AAD systems are effective at delivering PRMsat pH greater than about neutral. Without wishing to be bound by theory,conditions in which more of the amines of the AAD system aredeprotonated may result in an increased affinity of the deprotonatedamines for PRMs such as aldehydes and ketones, including unsaturatedketones and enones such as damascone. In another aspect, polymericamines are effective at delivering PRMs at pH less than about neutral.Without wishing to be bound by theory, conditions in which more of theamines of the AAD system are protonated may result in a decreasedaffinity of the protonated amines for PRMs such as aldehydes andketones, and a strong affinity of the polymer framework for a broadrange of PRMs. In such an aspect, polymer-assisted delivery may bedelivering more of the perfume benefit; such systems are a subspecies ofAAD and may be referred to as Amine-Polymer-Assisted Delivery or APAD.In some cases when the APAD is employed in a composition that has a pHof less than seven, such APAD systems may also be consideredPolymer-Assisted Delivery (PAD). In yet another aspect, AAD and PADsystems may interact with other materials, such as anionic surfactantsor polymers to form coacervate and/or coacervates-like systems. Inanother aspect, a material that contains a heteroatom other thannitrogen, for example sulfur, phosphorus or selenium, may be used as analternative to amine compounds. In yet another aspect, theaforementioned alternative compounds can be used in combination withamine compounds. In yet another aspect, a single molecule may comprisean amine moiety and one or more of the alternative heteroatom moieties,for example, thiols, phosphines and selenols. Suitable AAD systems aswell as methods of making same may be found in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2005/0003980 A1; 2003/0199422 A1; 2003/0036489 A1;2004/0220074 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,678.

Cyclodextrin Delivery System (CD): This technology approach uses acyclic oligosaccharide or cyclodextrin to improve the delivery ofperfume. Typically a perfume and cyclodextrin (CD) complex is formed.Such complexes may be preformed, formed in-situ, or formed on or in thesitus. Without wishing to be bound by theory, loss of water may serve toshift the equilibrium toward the CD-Perfume complex, especially if otheradjunct ingredients (e.g., surfactant) are not present at highconcentration to compete with the perfume for the cyclodextrin cavity. Abloom benefit may be achieved if water exposure or an increase inmoisture content occurs at a later time point. In addition, cyclodextrinallows the perfume formulator increased flexibility in selection ofPRMs. Cyclodextrin may be pre-loaded with perfume or added separatelyfrom perfume to obtain the desired perfume stability, deposition orrelease benefit. Suitable CDs as well as methods of making same may befound in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0003980 A1 and2006/0263313 A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,552,378; 3,812,011; 4,317,881;4,418,144 and 4,378,923.

Starch Encapsulated Accord (SEA): The use of a starch encapsulatedaccord (SEA) technology allows one to modify the properties of theperfume, for example, by converting a liquid perfume into a solid byadding ingredients such as starch. The benefit includes increasedperfume retention during product storage, especially under non-aqueousconditions. Upon exposure to moisture, a perfume bloom may be triggered.Benefits at other moments of truth may also be achieved because thestarch allows the product formulator to select PRMs or PRMconcentrations that normally cannot be used without the presence of SEA.Another technology example includes the use of other organic andinorganic materials, such as silica to convert perfume from liquid tosolid. Suitable SEAs as well as methods of making same may be found inU.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0003980 A1 and U.S. Pat.No. 6,458,754 B1.

Inorganic Carrier Delivery System (ZIC): This technology relates to theuse of porous zeolites or other inorganic materials to deliver perfumes.Perfume-loaded zeolite may be used with or without adjunct ingredientsused for example to coat the perfume-loaded zeolite (PLZ) to change itsperfume release properties during product storage or during use or fromthe dry situs. Suitable zeolite and inorganic carriers as well asmethods of making same may be found in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0003980 A1 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,858,959; 6,245,732B1; 6,048,830 and 4,539,135. Silica is another form of ZIC. Anotherexample of a suitable inorganic carrier includes inorganic tubules,where the perfume or other active material is contained within the lumenof the nano- or micro-tubules. In one aspect, the perfume-loadedinorganic tubule (or Perfume-Loaded Tubule or PLT) is a mineral nano- ormicro-tubule, such as halloysite or mixtures of halloysite with otherinorganic materials, including other clays. The PLT technology may alsocomprise additional ingredients on the inside and/or outside of thetubule for the purpose of improving in-product diffusion stability,deposition on the desired situs or for controlling the release rate ofthe loaded perfume. Monomeric and/or polymeric materials, includingstarch encapsulation, may be used to coat, plug, cap, or otherwiseencapsulate the PLT. Suitable PLT systems as well as methods of makingsame may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,976.

Pro-Perfume (PP): This technology refers to perfume technologies thatresult from the reaction of perfume materials with other substrates orchemicals to form materials that have a covalent bond between one ormore PRMs and one or more carriers. The PRM is converted into a newmaterial called a pro-PRM (i.e., pro-perfume), which then may releasethe original PRM upon exposure to a trigger such as water or light.Pro-perfumes may provide enhanced perfume delivery properties such asincreased perfume deposition, longevity, stability, retention, and thelike. Pro-perfumes include those that are monomeric (non-polymeric) orpolymeric, and may be pre-formed or may be formed in-situ underequilibrium conditions, such as those that may be present duringin-product storage or on the wet or dry situs. Nonlimiting examples ofpro-perfumes include Michael adducts (e.g., beta-amino ketones),aromatic or non-aromatic imines (Schiff bases), oxazolidines, beta-ketoesters, and orthoesters. Another aspect includes compounds comprisingone or more beta-oxy or beta-thio carbonyl moieties capable of releasinga PRM, for example, an alpha, beta-unsaturated ketone, aldehyde orcarboxylic ester. The typical trigger for perfume release is exposure towater; although other triggers may include enzymes, heat, light, pHchange, autoxidation, a shift of equilibrium, change in concentration orionic strength and others. For aqueous-based products, light-triggeredpro-perfumes are particularly suited. Such photo-pro-perfumes (PPPs)include but are not limited to those that release coumarin derivativesand perfumes and/or pro-perfumes upon being triggered. The releasedpro-perfume may release one or more PRMs by means of any of the abovementioned triggers. In one aspect, the photo-pro-perfume releases anitrogen-based pro-perfume when exposed to a light and/or moisturetrigger. In another aspect, the nitrogen-based pro-perfume, releasedfrom the photo-pro-perfume, releases one or more PRMs selected, forexample, from aldehydes, ketones (including enones) and alcohols. Instill another aspect, the PPP releases a dihydroxy coumarin derivative.The light-triggered pro-perfume may also be an ester that releases acoumarin derivative and a perfume alcohol. In one aspect the pro-perfumeis a dimethoxybenzoin derivative as described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2006/0020459 A1. In another aspect the pro-perfume is a3′,5′-dimethoxybenzoin (DMB) derivative that releases an alcohol uponexposure to electromagnetic radiation. In yet another aspect, thepro-perfume releases one or more low ODT PRMs, including tertiaryalcohols such as linalool, tetrahydrolinalool, or dihydromyrcenol.Suitable pro-perfumes and methods of making same can be found in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,018,978 B2; 6,987,084 B2; 6,956,013 B2; 6,861,402 B1;6,544,945 B1; 6,093,691; 6,277,796 B1; 6,165,953; 6,316,397 B1;6,437,150 B1; 6,479,682 B1; 6,096,918; 6,218,355 B1; 6,133,228;6,147,037; 7,109,153 B2; 7,071,151 B2; 6,987,084 B2; 6,610,646 B2 and5,958,870, as well as can be found in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2005/0003980 A1 and 2006/0223726 A1.

Amine Reaction Product (ARP): For purposes of the present application,ARP is a subclass or species of PP. One may also use “reactive”polymeric amines in which the amine functionality is pre-reacted withone or more PRMs to form an amine reaction product (ARP). Typically thereactive amines are primary and/or secondary amines, and may be part ofa polymer or a monomer (non-polymer). Such ARPs may also be mixed withadditional PRMs to provide benefits of polymer-assisted delivery and/oramine-assisted delivery. Nonlimiting examples of polymeric aminesinclude polymers based on polyalkylimines, such as polyethyleneimine(PEI), or polyvinylamine (PVAm). Nonlimiting examples of monomeric(non-polymeric) amines include hydroxyl amines, such as 2-aminoethanoland its alkyl substituted derivatives, and aromatic amines such asanthranilates. The ARPs may be premixed with perfume or added separatelyin leave-on or rinse-off applications. In another aspect, a materialthat contains a heteroatom other than nitrogen, for example oxygen,sulfur, phosphorus or selenium, may be used as an alternative to aminecompounds. In yet another aspect, the aforementioned alternativecompounds can be used in combination with amine compounds. In yetanother aspect, a single molecule may comprise an amine moiety and oneor more of the alternative heteroatom moieties, for example, thiols,phosphines and selenols. The benefit may include improved delivery ofperfume as well as controlled perfume release. Suitable ARPs as well asmethods of making same can be found in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2005/0003980 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,413,920 B1.

iv. Bleaching Agents

Filaments may comprise one or more bleaching agents. Non-limitingexamples of suitable bleaching agents include peroxyacids, perborate,percarbonate, chlorine bleaches, oxygen bleaches, hypohalite bleaches,bleach precursors, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, hydrogenperoxide, bleach boosters, photobleaches, bleaching enzymes, freeradical initiators, peroxygen bleaches, and mixtures thereof.

One or more bleaching agents may be included in the filaments may beincluded at a level from about 1% to about 30% and/or from about 5% toabout 20% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web materialbasis. If present, bleach activators may be present in the filaments ata level from about 0.1% to about 60% and/or from about 0.5% to about 40%by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis.

Non-limiting examples of bleaching agents include oxygen bleach,perborate bleach, percarboxylic acid bleach and salts thereof, peroxygenbleach, persulfate bleach, percarbonate bleach, and mixtures thereof.Further, non-limiting examples of bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,483,781, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 740,446, EuropeanPatent Application 0 133 354, U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,934, and U.S. Pat. No.4,634,551.

Non-limiting examples of bleach activators (e.g., acyl lactamactivators) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,854; 4,412,934;4,634,551; and 4,966,723.

In one example, the bleaching agent comprises a transition metal bleachcatalyst, which may be encapsulated. The transition metal bleachcatalyst typically comprises a transition metal ion, for example atransition metal ion from a transition metal selected from the groupconsisting of: Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Mn(V), Fe(II), Fe(III), Fe(IV),Co(I), Co(II), Co(III), Ni(I), Ni(II), Ni(III), Cu(I), Cu(II), Cu(III),Cr(II), Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), Cr(VI), V(III), V(IV), V(V), Mo(IV),Mo(V), Mo(VI), W(IV), W(V), W(VI), Pd(II), Ru(II), Ru(III), and Ru(IV).In one example, the transition metal is selected from the groupconsisting of: Mn(II), Mn(III), Mn(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III), Cr(II),Cr(III), Cr(IV), Cr(V), and Cr(VI). The transition metal bleach catalysttypically comprises a ligand, for example a macropolycyclic ligand, suchas a cross-bridged macropolycyclic ligand. The transition metal ion maybe coordinated with the ligand. Further, the ligand may comprise atleast four donor atoms, at least two of which are bridgehead donoratoms. Non-limiting examples of suitable transition metal bleachcatalysts are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,485, U.S. Pat. No.4,430,243; U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,455; U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,621; U.S. Pat.No. 5,244,594; U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,944; U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,416; U.S.Pat. No. 5,246,612; U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,779; U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,117;U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,147; U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,161; U.S. Pat. No.5,227,084; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,606; U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,611, EP 549,271A1; EP 544,490 A1; EP 549,272 A1; and EP 544,440 A2. In one example, asuitable transition metal bleach catalyst comprises a manganese-basedcatalyst, for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,282. In anotherexample, suitable cobalt bleach catalysts are described, in U.S. Pat.No. 5,597,936 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,967. Such cobalt catalysts arereadily prepared by known procedures, such as taught for example in U.S.Pat. No. 5,597,936, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,967. In yet another,suitable transition metal bleach catalysts comprise a transition metalcomplex of ligand such as bispidones described in WO 05/042532 A1.

Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known inthe art and can be utilized herein (e.g., photoactivated bleachingagents such as the sulfonated zinc and/or aluminum phthalocyanines (U.S.Pat. No. 4,033,718, incorporated herein by reference)), and/orpre-formed organic peracids, such as peroxycarboxylic acid or saltthereof, and/or peroxysulphonic acids or salts thereof. In one example,a suitable organic peracid comprises phthaloylimidoperoxycaproic acid orsalt thereof. When present, the photoactivated bleaching agents, such assulfonated zinc phthalocyanine, may be present in the filaments at alevel from about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry web material basis.

v. Brighteners

Any optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents knownin the art may be incorporated in the filaments at levels from about0.01% to about 1.2% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry webmaterial basis. Commercial optical brighteners which may be useful canbe classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarilylimited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylicacid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azoles, 5- and6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Examplesof such brighteners are disclosed in “The Production and Application ofFluorescent Brightening Agents”, M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley &Sons, New York (1982). Specific nonlimiting examples of opticalbrighteners which are useful in the present compositions are thoseidentified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,856 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,015.

vi. Fabric Hueing Agents

Filaments may include fabric hueing agents. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable fabric hueing agents include small molecule dyes and polymericdyes. Suitable small molecule dyes include small molecule dyes selectedfrom the group consisting of dyes falling into the Colour Index (C.I.)classifications of Direct Blue, Direct Red, Direct Violet, Acid Blue,Acid Red, Acid Violet, Basic Blue, Basic Violet and Basic Red, ormixtures thereof. In another example, suitable polymeric dyes includepolymeric dyes selected from the group consisting of fabric-substantivecolorants sold under the name of Liquitint® (Milliken, Spartanburg,S.C., USA), dye-polymer conjugates formed from at least one reactive dyeand a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers comprisinga moiety selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl moiety, aprimary amine moiety, a secondary amine moiety, a thiol moiety andmixtures thereof. In still another aspect, suitable polymeric dyesinclude polymeric dyes selected from the group consisting of Liquitint®(Milliken, Spartanburg, S.C., USA) Violet CT, carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC) conjugated with a reactive blue, reactive violet or reactive reddye such as CMC conjugated with C.I. Reactive Blue 19, sold by Megazyme,Wicklow, Ireland under the product name AZO-CM-CELLULOSE, product codeS-ACMC, alkoxylated triphenyl-methane polymeric colourants, alkoxylatedthiophene polymeric colourants, and mixtures thereof.

Non-limiting examples of useful hueing dyes include those found in U.S.Pat. No. 7,205,269; U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,459; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,674,757B2. For example, fabric hueing dyes may be selected from the groupconsisting of: triarylmethane blue and violet basic dyes, methine blueand violet basic dyes, anthraquinone blue and violet basic dyes, azodyes basic blue 16, basic blue 65, basic blue 66 basic blue 67, basicblue 71, basic blue 159, basic violet 19, basic violet 35, basic violet38, basic violet 48, oxazine dyes, basic blue 3, basic blue 75, basicblue 95, basic blue 122, basic blue 124, basic blue 141, Nile blue A andxanthene dye basic violet 10, an alkoxylated triphenylmethane polymericcolorant; an alkoxylated thiopene polymeric colorant; thiazolium dye;and mixtures thereof.

In one example, a fabric hueing dye includes the whitening agents foundin WO 08/87497 A1. These whitening agents may be characterized by thefollowing structure (I):

wherein R₁ and R₂ can independently be selected from:

-   a) [(CH₂CR′HO)_(x)(CH₂CR″HO)_(y)H]    -   wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃,        CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R″ is selected        from the group consisting of H, CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures        thereof; wherein x+y≦5; wherein y≧1; and wherein z=0 to 5;-   b) R₁=alkyl, aryl or aryl alkyl and    R₂═[(CH₂CR′HO)_(x)(CH₂CR″HO)_(y)H]    -   wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃,        CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R″ is selected        from the group consisting of H, CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures        thereof; wherein x+y≦10; wherein y≧1; and wherein z=0 to 5;-   c) R₁═[CH₂CH₂(OR₃)CH₂OR₄] and R₂═[CH₂CH₂(OR₃)CH₂OR₄]    -   wherein R₃ is selected from the group consisting of H,        (CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; and wherein z=0 to 10;    -   wherein R₄ is selected from the group consisting of        (C₁-C₁₆)alkyl, aryl groups, and mixtures thereof; and-   d) wherein R1 and R2 can independently be selected from the amino    addition product of styrene oxide, glycidyl methyl ether, isobutyl    glycidyl ether, isopropylglycidyl ether, t-butyl glycidyl ether,    2-ethylhexylglycidyl ether, and glycidylhexadecyl ether, followed by    the addition of from 1 to 10 alkylene oxide units.

In another example, a suitable whitening agent may be characterized bythe following structure (II):

wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃,CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof; wherein R″ is selected fromthe group consisting of H, CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_(z)H, and mixtures thereof;wherein x+y≦5; wherein y≧1; and wherein z=0 to 5.

In yet another example, a suitable whitening agent may be characterizedby the following structure (III):

This whitening agent is commonly referred to as “Violet DD”. Violet DDis typically a mixture having a total of 5 EO groups. This structure isarrived by the following selection in Structure I of the followingpendant groups shown in Table I below in “part a” above:

TABLE I R1 R2 R′ R″ X y R′ R″ x y a H H 3 1 H H 0 1 b H H 2 1 H H 1 1 c= b H H 1 1 H H 2 1 d = a H H 0 1 H H 3 1

Further whitening agents of use include those described in US2008/34511A1 (Unilever). In one example, the whitening agent comprises “Violet13”.

vii. Dye Transfer Inhibiting Agents

Filaments may include one or more dye transfer inhibiting agents thatinhibit transfer of dyes from one fabric to another during a cleaningprocess. Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents includepolyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymersof N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine,peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typicallycomprise from about 0.01% to about 10% and/or from about 0.01% to about5% and/or from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry web material basis.

viii. Chelating Agents

Filaments may contain one or more chelating agents, for example one ormore iron and/or manganese and/or other metal ion chelating agents. Suchchelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of: aminocarboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromaticchelating agents and mixtures thereof. If utilized, these chelatingagents will generally comprise from about 0.1% to about 15% and/or fromabout 0.1% to about 10% and/or from about 0.1% to about 5% and/or fromabout 0.1% to about 3% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry webmaterial basis.

The chelating agents may be chosen by one skilled in the art to providefor heavy metal (e.g. Fe) sequestration without negatively impactingenzyme stability through the excessive binding of calcium ions.Non-limiting examples of chelating agents are found in U.S. Pat. No.7,445,644, U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,376 and US 2009/0176684A1.

Useful chelating agents include heavy metal chelating agents, such asdiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and/or a catechol including,but not limited to, Tiron. In embodiments in which a dual chelatingagent system is used, the chelating agents may be DTPA and Tiron.

DTPA has the following core molecular structure:

Tiron, also known as 1,2-diydroxybenzene-3,5-disulfonic acid, is onemember of the catechol family and has the core molecular structure shownbelow:

Other sulphonated catechols are of use. In addition to the disulfonicacid, the term “tiron” may also include mono- or di-sulfonate salts ofthe acid, such as, for example, the disodium sulfonate salt, whichshares the same core molecular structure with the disulfonic acid.

Other chelating agents suitable for use herein can be selected from thegroup consisting of: aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates,polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixturesthereof. In one example, the chelating agents include but are notlimited to: HEDP (hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid); MGDA(methylglycinediacetic acid); GLDA (glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid); andmixtures thereof.

Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the benefitof these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to removeheavy metal ions from washing solutions by formation of solublechelates; other benefits include inorganic film or scale prevention.Other suitable chelating agents for use herein are the commercialDEQUEST series, and chelants from Monsanto, DuPont, and Nalco, Inc.

Aminocarboxylates useful as chelating agents include, but are notlimited to, ethylenediaminetetracetates,N-(hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates,ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates,diethylenetriamine-pentaacetates, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal,ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts thereof and mixtures thereof.Aminophosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in thecompositions of the invention when at least low levels of totalphosphorus are permitted in the filaments, and includeethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates). In one example, theseaminophosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more thanabout 6 carbon atoms. Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelatingagents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No.3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Non-limiting examplesof compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes suchas 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

In one example, a biodegradable chelating agent comprisesethylenediamine disuccinate (“EDDS”), for example the [S,S] isomer asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233. The trisodium salt of EDDS may beused. In another example, the magnesium salts of EDDS may also be used.

One or more chelating agents may be present in the filaments at a levelfrom about 0.2% to about 0.7% and/or from about 0.3% to about 0.6% byweight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis.

ix. Suds Suppressors

Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds can beincorporated into the filaments. Suds suppression can be of particularimportance in the so-called “high concentration cleaning process” asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,489,455 and 4,489,574, and infront-loading-style washing machines.

A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and sudssuppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, forexample, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition,Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979). Examples ofsuds supressors include monocarboxylic fatty acid and soluble saltstherein, high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acidesters (e.g., fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalentalcohols, aliphatic C₁₈-C₄₀ ketones (e.g., stearone), N-alkylated aminotriazines, waxy hydrocarbons preferably having a melting point belowabout 100° C., silicone suds suppressors, and secondary alcohols. Sudssupressors are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,954,347; 4,265,779;4,265,779; 3,455,839; 3,933,672; 4,652,392; 4,978,471; 4,983,316;5,288,431; 4,639,489; 4,749,740; and 4,798,679; 4,075,118; EuropeanPatent Application No. 89307851.9; EP 150,872; and DOS 2,124,526.

For any filaments and/or fibrous structures comprising such filamentsdesigned to be used in automatic laundry washing machines, suds shouldnot form to the extent that they overflow the washing machine. Sudssuppressors, when utilized, are preferably present in a “sudssuppressing amount. By “suds suppressing amount” is meant that theformulator of the composition can select an amount of this sudscontrolling agent that will sufficiently control the suds to result in alow-sudsing laundry detergent for use in automatic laundry washingmachines.

The filaments herein will generally comprise from 0% to about 10% byweight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis of sudssuppressors. When utilized as suds suppressors, for examplemonocarboxylic fatty acids, and salts therein, may be present in amountsup to about 5% and/or from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry web material basis. When utilized, siliconesuds suppressors are typically used in the filaments at a level up toabout 2.0% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web materialbasis, although higher amounts may be used. When utilized, monostearylphosphate suds suppressors are typically used in the filaments at alevel from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry web material basis. When utilized, hydrocarbon sudssuppressors are typically utilized in the filaments at a level fromabout 0.01% to about 5.0% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dryweb material basis, although higher levels can be used. When utilized,alcohol suds suppressors are typically used in the filaments at a levelfrom about 0.2% to about 3% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dryweb material basis.

x. Suds Boosters

If high sudsing is desired, suds boosters such as the C₁₀-C₁₆alkanolamides can be incorporated into the filaments, typically at alevel from 0% to about 10% and/or from about 1% to about 10% by weighton a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis. The C₁₀-C₁₄monoethanol and diethanol amides illustrate a typical class of such sudsboosters. Use of such suds boosters with high sudsing adjunctsurfactants such as the amine oxides, betaines and sultaines noted aboveis also advantageous. If desired, water-soluble magnesium and/or calciumsalts such as MgCl₂, MgSO₄, CaCl₂, CaSO₄ and the like, may be added tothe filaments at levels from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry web material basis to provide additional suds.

xi. Softening Agents

One or more softening agents may be present in the filaments.Non-limiting examples of suitable softening agents include quaternaryammonium compounds for example a quaternary ammonium esterquat compound,silicones such as polysiloxanes, clays such as smectite clays, andmixture thereof.

In one example, the softening agents comprise a fabric softening agent.Non-limiting examples of fabric softening agents include impalpablesmectite clays, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,647, aswell as other fabric softening clays known in the art. When present, thefabric softening agent may be present in the filaments at a level fromabout 0.5% to about 10% and/or from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight ona dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis. Fabric softeningclays may be used in combination with amine and/or cationic softeningagents such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,416, and U.S. Pat.No. 4,291,071. Cationic softening agents may also be used without fabricsoftening clays.

xii. Conditioning Agents

Filaments may include one or more conditioning agents, such as a highmelting point fatty compound. The high melting point fatty compound mayhave a melting point of about 25° C. or greater, and may be selectedfrom the group consisting of: fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty alcoholderivatives, fatty acid derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Such fattycompounds that exhibit a low melting point (less than 25° C.) are notintended to be included as a conditioning agent. Non-limiting examplesof the high melting point fatty compounds are found in InternationalCosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Fifth Edition, 1993, and CTFA CosmeticIngredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992.

One or more high melting point fatty compounds may be included in thefilaments at a level from about 0.1% to about 40% and/or from about 1%to about 30% and/or from about 1.5% to about 16% and/or from about 1.5%to about 8% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web materialbasis. The conditioning agents may provide conditioning benefits, suchas slippery feel during the application to wet hair and/or fabrics,softness and/or moisturized feel on dry hair and/or fabrics.

Filaments may contain a cationic polymer as a conditioning agent.Concentrations of the cationic polymer in the filaments, when present,typically range from about 0.05% to about 3% and/or from about 0.075% toabout 2.0% and/or from about 0.1% to about 1.0% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry web material basis. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable cationic polymers may have cationic charge densities of atleast 0.5 meq/gm and/or at least 0.9 meq/gm and/or at least 1.2 meq/gmand/or at least 1.5 meq/gm at a pH of from about 3 to about 9 and/orfrom about 4 to about 8. In one example, cationic polymers suitable asconditioning agents may have cationic charge densities of less than 7meq/gm and/or less than 5 meq/gm at a pH of from about 3 to about 9and/or from about 4 to about 8. Herein, “cationic charge density” of apolymer refers to the ratio of the number of positive charges on thepolymer to the molecular weight of the polymer. The weight averagemolecular weight of such suitable cationic polymers will generally bebetween about 10,000 and 10 million, in one embodiment between about50,000 and about 5 million, and in another embodiment between about100,000 and about 3 million.

Suitable cationic polymers for use in the filaments may contain cationicnitrogen-containing moieties such as quaternary ammonium and/or cationicprotonated amino moieties. Any anionic counterions may be used inassociation with the cationic polymers so long as the cationic polymersremain soluble in water and so long as the counterions are physicallyand chemically compatible with the other components of the filaments ordo not otherwise unduly impair product performance, stability oraesthetics of the filaments. Non-limiting examples of such counterionsinclude halides (e.g., chloride, fluoride, bromide, iodide), sulfatesand methylsulfates.

Non-limiting examples of such cationic polymers are described in theCTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 3rd edition, edited by Estrin,Crosley, and Haynes, (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association,Inc., Washington, D.C. (1982)).

Other suitable cationic polymers for use in such filaments may includecationic polysaccharide polymers, cationic guar gum derivatives,quaternary nitrogen-containing cellulose ethers, cationic syntheticpolymers, cationic copolymers of etherified cellulose, guar and starch.When used, the cationic polymers herein are soluble in water. Further,suitable cationic polymers for use in the filaments are described inU.S. Pat. No. 3,962,418, U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,581, and U.S.2007/0207109A1, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

Filaments may include a nonionic polymer as a conditioning agent.Polyalkylene glycols having a molecular weight of more than about 1000are useful herein. Useful are those having the following generalformula:

wherein R⁹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of: H, methyl, andmixtures thereof.

Silicones may be included in the filaments as conditioning agents. Thesilicones useful as conditioning agents typically comprise a waterinsoluble, water dispersible, non-volatile, liquid that formsemulsified, liquid particles. Suitable conditioning agents for use inthe composition are those conditioning agents characterized generally assilicones (e.g., silicone oils, cationic silicones, silicone gums, highrefractive silicones, and silicone resins), organic conditioning oils(e.g., hydrocarbon oils, polyolefins, and fatty esters) or combinationsthereof, or those conditioning agents which otherwise form liquid,dispersed particles in the aqueous surfactant matrix herein. Suchconditioning agents should be physically and chemically compatible withthe essential components of the composition, and should not otherwiseunduly impair product stability, aesthetics or performance.

The concentration of the conditioning agents in the filaments may besufficient to provide the desired conditioning benefits. Suchconcentration can vary with the conditioning agent, the conditioningperformance desired, the average size of the conditioning agentparticles, the type and concentration of other components, and otherlike factors.

The concentration of the silicone conditioning agents typically rangesfrom about 0.01% to about 10% by weight on a dry filament basis and/ordry web material basis. Non-limiting examples of suitable siliconeconditioning agents, and optional suspending agents for the silicone,are described in U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 34,584, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,646;5,106,609; 4,152,416; 2,826,551; 3,964,500; 4,364,837; 6,607,717;6,482,969; 5,807,956; 5,981,681; 6,207,782; 7,465,439; 7,041,767;7,217,777; US Patent Application Nos. 2007/0286837A1; 2005/0048549A1;2007/0041929A1; British Pat. No. 849,433; German Patent No. DE 10036533,which are all incorporated herein by reference; Chemistry and Technologyof Silicones, New York: Academic Press (1968); General Electric SiliconeRubber Product Data Sheets SE 30, SE 33, SE 54 and SE 76; SiliconCompounds, Petrarch Systems, Inc. (1984); and in Encyclopedia of PolymerScience and Engineering, vol. 15, 2d ed., pp 204-308, John Wiley & Sons,Inc. (1989).

In one example, filaments may also comprise from about 0.05% to about 3%by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis of atleast one organic conditioning oil as a conditioning agent, either aloneor in combination with other conditioning agents, such as the silicones(described herein). Suitable conditioning oils include hydrocarbon oils,polyolefins, and fatty esters. Also suitable for use in the compositionsherein are the conditioning agents described by the Procter & GambleCompany in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,674,478, and 5,750,122. Also suitable foruse herein are those conditioning agents described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,529,586, 4,507,280, 4,663,158, 4,197,865, 4,217,914, 4,381,919, and4,422,853, which are all incorporated herein by reference.

xiii. Humectants

Filaments may contain one or more humectants. The humectants herein areselected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohols, water solublealkoxylated nonionic polymers, and mixtures thereof. The humectants,when used, may be present in the filaments at a level from about 0.1% toabout 20% and/or from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight on a dry filamentbasis and/or dry web material basis.

xiv. Suspending Agents

Filaments may further comprise a suspending agent at concentrationseffective for suspending water-insoluble material in dispersed form inthe compositions or for modifying the viscosity of the composition. Suchconcentrations of suspending agents range from about 0.1% to about 10%and/or from about 0.3% to about 5.0% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry web material basis.

Non-limiting examples of suitable suspending agents include anionicpolymers and nonionic polymers (e.g., vinyl polymers, acyl derivatives,long chain amine oxides, and mixtures thereof, alkanol amides of fattyacids, long chain esters of long chain alkanol amides, glyceryl esters,primary amines having a fatty alkyl moiety having at least about 16carbon atoms, secondary amines having two fatty alkyl moieties eachhaving at least about 12 carbon atoms). Examples of suspending agentsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,855.

xv. Enzymes

One or more enzymes may be present in the filaments. Non-limitingexamples of suitable enzymes include proteases, amylases, lipases,cellulases, carbohydrases including mannanases and endoglucanases,pectinases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, xylanases, phopholipases,esterases, cutinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases,lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, penosanases,malanases, glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluraonidases,chrondroitinases, laccases, and mixtures thereof.

Enzymes may be included in the filaments for a variety of purposes,including but not limited to removal of protein-based,carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains from substrates, forthe prevention of refugee dye transfer in fabric laundering, and forfabric restoration. In one example, the filaments may include proteases,amylases, lipases, cellulases, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof of anysuitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeastorigin. Selections of the enzymes utilized are influenced by factorssuch as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, andstability to other additives, such as active agents, for examplebuilders, present within the filaments. In one example, the enzyme isselected from the group consisting of: bacterial enzymes (for examplebacterial amylases and/or bacterial proteases), fungal enzymes (forexample fungal cellulases), and mixtures thereof.

When present in the filaments, the enzymes may be present at levelssufficient to provide a “cleaning-effective amount”. The term “cleaningeffective amount” refers to any amount capable of producing a cleaning,stain removal, soil removal, whitening, deodorizing, or freshnessimproving effect on substrates such as fabrics, dishware and the like.In practical terms for current commercial preparations, typical amountsare up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg, ofactive enzyme per gram of the filament and/or fiber. Stated otherwise,the filaments can typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%and/or from about 0.01% to about 3% and/or from about 0.01% to about 1%by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis.

One or more enzymes may be applied to the filament and/or fibrousstructure after the filament and/or fibrous structure are produced.

A range of enzyme materials and means for their incorporation into thefilament-forming composition, which may be a synthetic detergentcomposition, is also disclosed in WO 9307263 A; WO 9307260 A; WO 8908694A; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,553,139; 4,101,457; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,219.

xvi. Enzyme Stabilizing System

When enzymes are present in the filaments and/or fibers, an enzymestabilizing system may also be included in the filaments. Enzymes may bestabilized by various techniques. Non-limiting examples of enzymestabilization techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,600,319 and 3,519,570; EP 199,405, EP 200,586; and WO 9401532 A.

In one example, the enzyme stabilizing system may comprise calciumand/or magnesium ions.

The enzyme stabilizing system may be present in the filaments at a levelof from about 0.001% to about 10% and/or from about 0.005% to about 8%and/or from about 0.01% to about 6% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry web material basis. The enzyme stabilizing system can be anystabilizing system which is compatible with the enzymes present in thefilaments. Such an enzyme stabilizing system may be inherently providedby other formulation actives, or be added separately, e.g., by theformulator or by a manufacturer of enzymes. Such enzyme stabilizingsystems may, for example, comprise calcium ion, magnesium ion, boricacid, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, boronic acids, andmixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilizationproblems.

xvii. Builders

Filaments may comprise one or more builders. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable builders include zeolite builders, aluminosilicate builders,silicate builders, phosphate builders, citric acid, citrates, nitrilotriacetic acid, nitrilo triacetate, polyacrylates, acrylate/maleatecopolymers, and mixtures thereof.

In one example, a builder selected from the group consisting of:aluminosilicates, silicates, and mixtures thereof, may be included inthe filaments. The builders may be included in the filaments to assistin controlling mineral, especially calcium and/or magnesium hardness inwash water or to assist in the removal of particulate soils fromsurfaces. Also suitable for use herein are synthesized crystalline ionexchange materials or hydrates thereof having chain structure and acomposition represented by the following general Formula I an anhydrideform: x(M₂O).ySiO₂.zM′O wherein M is Na and/or K, M′ is Ca and/or Mg;y/x is 0.5 to 2.0 and z/x is 0.005 to 1.0 as taught in U.S. Pat. No.5,427,711.

Non-limiting examples of other suitable builders that may be included inthe filaments include phosphates and polyphosphates, for example thesodium salts thereof; carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates andcarbonate minerals other than sodium carbonate or sesquicarbonate;organic mono-, di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylates for examplewater-soluble nonsurfactant carboxylates in acid, sodium, potassium oralkanolammonium salt form, as well as oligomeric or water-soluble lowmolecular weight polymer carboxylates including aliphatic and aromatictypes; and phytic acid. These builders may be complemented by borates,e.g., for pH-buffering purposes, or by sulfates, for example sodiumsulfate and any other fillers or carriers which may be important to theengineering of stable surfactant and/or builder-containing filaments.

Still other builders may be selected from polycarboxylates, for examplecopolymers of acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid,and copolymers of acrylic acid and/or maleic acid and other suitableethylenic monomers with various types of additional functionalities.

Builder level can vary widely depending upon end use. In one example,the filaments may comprise at least 1% and/or from about 1% to about 30%and/or from about 1% to about 20% and/or from about 1% to about 10%and/or from about 2% to about 5% by weight on a dry fiber basis of oneor more builders.

xviii. Clay Soil Removal/Anti-Redeposition Agents

Filaments may contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having clay soilremoval and anti-redeposition properties. Such water-soluble ethoxylatedamines may be present in the filaments at a level of from about 0.01% toabout 10.0% and/or from about 0.01% to about 7% and/or from about 0.1%to about 5% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web materialbasis of one or more water-soluble ethoxylates amines. Non-limitingexamples of suitable clay soil removal and antiredeposition agents aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,597,898; 548,744; 4,891,160; EuropeanPatent Application Nos. 111,965; 111,984; 112,592; and WO 95/32272.

xix. Polymeric Soil Release Agent

Filaments may contain polymeric soil release agents, hereinafter “SRAs.”If utilized, SRA's will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about10.0% and/or from about 0.1% to about 5% and/or from about 0.2% to about3.0% by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis.

SRAs typically have hydrophilic segments to hydrophilize the surface ofhydrophobic fibers such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segmentsto deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto throughcompletion of washing and rinsing cycles thereby serving as an anchorfor the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurringsubsequent to treatment with SRA to be more easily cleaned in laterwashing procedures.

SRAs can include, for example, a variety of charged, e.g., anionic oreven cationic (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,447), as well as non-chargedmonomer units and structures may be linear, branched or evenstar-shaped. They may include capping moieties which are especiallyeffective in controlling molecular weight or altering the physical orsurface-active properties. Structures and charge distributions may betailored for application to different fiber or textile types and forvaried detergent or detergent additive products. Non-limiting examplesof SRAs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,451; 4,711,730; 4,721,580;4,702,857; 4,877,896; 3,959,230; 3,893,929; 4,000,093; 5,415,807;4,201,824; 4,240,918; 4,525,524; 4,201,824; 4,579,681; and 4,787,989;European Patent Application 0 219 048; 279,134 A; 457,205 A; and DE2,335,044.

xx. Polymeric Dispersing Agents

Polymeric dispersing agents can advantageously be utilized in thefilaments at levels from about 0.1% to about 7% and/or from about 0.1%to about 5% and/or from about 0.5% to about 4% by weight on a dryfilament basis and/or dry web material basis, especially in the presenceof zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Suitable polymericdispersing agents may include polymeric polycarboxylates andpolyethylene glycols, although others known in the art can also be used.For example, a wide variety of modified or unmodified polyacrylates,polyacrylate/mealeates, or polyacrylate/methacrylates are highly useful.It is believed, though it is not intended to be limited by theory, thatpolymeric dispersing agents enhance overall detergent builderperformance, when used in combination with other builders (includinglower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by crystal growth inhibition,particulate soil release peptization, and anti-redeposition.Non-limiting examples of polymeric dispersing agents are found in U.S.Pat. No. 3,308,067, European Patent Application No. 66915, EP 193,360,and EP 193,360.

xxi. Alkoxylated Polyamine Polymers

Alkoxylated polyamines may be included in the filaments for providingsoil suspending, grease cleaning, and/or particulate cleaning. Suchalkoxylated polyamines include but are not limited to ethoxylatedpolyethyleneimines, ethoxylated hexamethylene diamines, and sulfatedversions thereof. Polypropoxylated derivatives of polyamines may also beincluded in the filaments. A wide variety of amines andpolyaklyeneimines can be alkoxylated to various degrees, and optionallyfurther modified to provide the abovementioned benefits. A usefulexample is 600 g/mol polyethyleneimine core ethoxylated to 20 EO groupsper NH and is available from BASF.

xxii. Alkoxylated Polycarboxylate Polymers

Alkoxylated polycarboxylates such as those prepared from polyacrylatesmay be included in the filaments to provide additional grease removalperformance. Such materials are described in WO 91/08281 and PCT90/01815. Chemically, these materials comprise polyacrylates having oneethoxy side-chain per every 7-8 acrylate units. The side-chains are ofthe formula —(CH₂CH₂O)_(m)(CH₂)_(n)CH₃ wherein m is 2-3 and n is 6-12.The side-chains are ester-linked to the polyacrylate “backbone” toprovide a “comb” polymer type structure. The molecular weight can vary,but is typically in the range of about 2000 to about 50,000. Suchalkoxylated polycarboxylates can comprise from about 0.05% to about 10%by weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry web material basis.

xxiii. Amphilic Graft Co-Polymers

Filaments may include one or more amphilic graft co-polymers. An exampleof a suitable amphilic graft co-polymer comprises (i) a polyethyeleneglycol backbone; and (ii) and at least one pendant moiety selected frompolyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. Anon-limiting example of a commercially available amphilic graftco-polymer is Sokalan HP22, supplied from BASF.

xxiv. Dissolution Aids

Filaments may incorporate dissolution aids to accelerate dissolutionwhen the filament contains more the 40% surfactant to mitigate formationof insoluble or poorly soluble surfactant aggregates that can sometimesform or surfactant compositions are used in cold water. Non-limitingexamples of dissolution aids include sodium chloride, sodium sulfate,potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, magnesium chloride, and magnesiumsulfate.

xxv. Buffer Systems

Filaments may be formulated such that, during use in an aqueous cleaningoperation, for example washing clothes or dishes, the wash water willhave a pH of between about 5.0 and about 12 and/or between about 7.0 and10.5. In the case of a dishwashing operation, the pH of the wash watertypically is between about 6.8 and about 9.0. In the case of washingclothes, the pH of the was water typically is between 7 and 11.Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include theuse of buffers, alkalis, acids, etc., and are well known to thoseskilled in the art. These include the use of sodium carbonate, citricacid or sodium citrate, monoethanol amine or other amines, boric acid orborates, and other pH-adjusting compounds well known in the art.

Filaments useful as “low pH” detergent compositions can be included andare especially suitable for the surfactant systems and may providein-use pH values of less than 8.5 and/or less than 8.0 and/or less than7.0 and/or less than 7.0 and/or less than 5.5 and/or to about 5.0.

Dynamic in-wash pH profile filaments can be included. Such filaments mayuse wax-covered citric acid particles in conjunction with other pHcontrol agents such that (i) 3 minutes after contact with water, the pHof the wash liquor is greater than 10; (ii) 10 mins after contact withwater, the pH of the wash liquor is less than 9.5; (iii) 20 mins aftercontact with water, the pH of the wash liquor is less than 9.0; and (iv)optionally, wherein, the equilibrium pH of the wash liquor is in therange of from above 7.0 to 8.5.

xxvi. Heat Forming Agents

Filaments may contain a heat forming agent. Heat forming agents areformulated to generate heat in the presence of water and/or oxygen(e.g., oxygen in the air, etc.) and to thereby accelerate the rate atwhich the fibrous structure degrades in the presence of water and/oroxygen, and/or to increase the effectiveness of one or more of theactives in the filament. The heat forming agent can also oralternatively be used to accelerate the rate of release of one or moreactives from the fibrous structure. The heat forming agent is formulatedto undergo an exothermic reaction when exposed to oxygen (i.e., oxygenin the air, oxygen in the water, etc.) and/or water. Many differentmaterials and combination of materials can be used as the heat formingagent. Non-limiting heat forming agents that can be used in the fibrousstructure include electrolyte salts (e.g., aluminum chloride, calciumchloride, calcium sulfate, cupric chloride, cuprous chloride, ferricsulfate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, manganese chloride,manganese sulfate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodiumacetate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, etc.),glycols (e.g., propylene glycol, dipropylenenglycol, etc.), lime (e.g.,quick lime, slaked lime, etc.), metals (e.g., chromium, copper, iron,magnesium, manganese, etc.), metal oxides (e.g., aluminum oxide, ironoxide, etc.), polyalkyleneamine, polyalkyleneimine, polyvinyl amine,zeolites, glycerin, 1,3, propanediol, polysorbates esters (e.g., Tweens20, 60, 85, 80), and/or poly glycerol esters (e.g., Noobe, Drewpol andDrewmulze from Stepan). The heat forming agent can be formed of one ormore materials. For example, magnesium sulfate can singularly form theheat forming agent. In another non-limiting example, the combination ofabout 2-25 weight percent activated carbon, about 30-70 weight percentiron powder and about 1-10 weight percent metal salt can form the heatforming agent. As can be appreciated, other or additional materials canbe used alone or in combination with other materials to form the heatforming agent. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used toform the heat forming agent used in a fibrous structure are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,674,270 and 6,020,040; and in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication Nos. 2008/0132438 and 2011/0301070.

xxvii. Degrading Accelerators

Filaments may contain a degrading accelerators used to accelerate therate at which a fibrous structure degrades in the presence of waterand/or oxygen. The degrading accelerator, when used, is generallydesigned to release gas when exposed to water and/or oxygen, which inturn agitates the region about the fibrous structure so as to causeacceleration in the degradation of a carrier film of the fibrousstructure. The degrading accelerator, when used, can also oralternatively be used to accelerate the rate of release of one or moreactives from the fibrous structure; however, this is not required. Thedegrading accelerator, when used, can also or alternatively be used toincrease the effectivity of one or more of the actives in the fibrousstructure; however, this is not required. The degrading accelerator caninclude one or more materials such as, but not limited to, alkali metalcarbonates (e.g. sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), alkalimetal hydrogen carbonates (e.g., sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassiumhydrogen carbonate, etc.), ammonium carbonate, etc. The water solublestrip can optionally include one or more activators that are used toactivate or increase the rate of activation of the one or more degradingaccelerators in the fibrous structure. As can be appreciated, one ormore activators can be included in the fibrous structure even when nodegrading accelerator exists in the fibrous structure; however, this isnot required. For instance, the activator can include an acidic or basiccompound, wherein such acidic or basic compound can be used as asupplement to one or more actives in the fibrous structure when adegrading accelerator is or is not included in the fibrous structure.Non-limiting examples of activators, when used, that can be included inthe fibrous structure include organic acids (e.g., hydroxy-carboxylicacids [citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, gluconicacid, etc.], saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids [acetic acid, succinicacid, etc.], unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids [e.g., fumaric acid,etc.]. Non-limiting examples of materials that can be used to formdegrading accelerators and activators used in a fibrous structure aredisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0301070.

III. Release of Active Agent

One or more active agents may be released from the filament when thefilament is exposed to a triggering condition. In one example, one ormore active agents may be released from the filament or a part of thefilament when the filament or the part of the filament loses itsidentity, in other words, loses its physical structure. For example, afilament loses its physical structure when the filament-forming materialdissolves, melts or undergoes some other transformative step such thatthe filament structure is lost. In one example, the one or more activeagents are released from the filament when the filament's morphologychanges.

In another example, one or more active agents may be released from thefilament or a part of the filament when the filament or the part of thefilament alters its identity, in other words, alters its physicalstructure rather than loses its physical structure. For example, afilament alters its physical structure when the filament-formingmaterial swells, shrinks, lengthens, and/or shortens, but retains itsfilament-forming properties.

In another example, one or more active agents may be released from thefilament with the filament's morphology not changing (not losing oraltering its physical structure).

In one example, the filament may release an active agent upon thefilament being exposed to a triggering condition that results in therelease of the active agent, such as by causing the filament to lose oralter its identity as discussed above. Non-limiting examples oftriggering conditions include exposing the filament to solvent, a polarsolvent, such as alcohol and/or water, and/or a non-polar solvent, whichmay be sequential, depending upon whether the filament-forming materialcomprises a polar solvent-soluble material and/or a non-polarsolvent-soluble material; exposing the filament to heat, such as to atemperature of greater than 75° F. and/or greater than 100° F. and/orgreater than 150° F. and/or greater than 200° F. and/or greater than212° F.; exposing the filament to cold, such as to a temperature of lessthan 40° F. and/or less than 32° F. and/or less than 0° F.; exposing thefilament to a force, such as a stretching force applied by a consumerusing the filament; and/or exposing the filament to a chemical reaction;exposing the filament to a condition that results in a phase change;exposing the filament to a pH change and/or a pressure change and/ortemperature change; exposing the filament to one or more chemicals thatresult in the filament releasing one or more of its active agents;exposing the filament to ultrasonics; exposing the filament to lightand/or certain wavelengths; exposing the filament to a different ionicstrength; and/or exposing the filament to an active agent released fromanother filament.

In one example, one or more active agents may be released from thefilaments when a nonwoven web comprising the filaments is subjected to atriggering step selected from the group consisting of: pre-treatingstains on a fabric article with the nonwoven web; forming a wash liquourby contacting the nonwoven web with water; tumbling the nonwoven web ina dryer; heating the nonwoven web in a dryer; and combinations thereof.

IV. Filament-Forming Composition

The filaments are made from a filament-forming composition. Thefilament-forming composition can be a polar-solvent-based composition.In one example, the filament-forming composition can be an aqueouscomposition comprising one or more filament-forming materials and one ormore active agents.

The filament-forming composition may be processed at a temperature offrom about 50° C. to about 100° C. and/or from about 65° C. to about 95°C. and/or from about 70° C. to about 90° C. when making filaments fromthe filament-forming composition.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise at least20% and/or at least 30% and/or at least 40% and/or at least 45% and/orat least 50% to about 90% and/or to about 85% and/or to about 80% and/orto about 75% by weight of one or more filament-forming materials, one ormore active agents, and mixtures thereof. The filament-formingcomposition may comprise from about 10% to about 80% by weight of apolar solvent, such as water.

The filament-forming composition may exhibit a Capillary Number of atleast 1 and/or at least 3 and/or at least 5 such that thefilament-forming composition can be effectively polymer processed into ahydroxyl polymer fiber.

The Capillary number is a dimensionless number used to characterize thelikelihood of this droplet breakup. A larger capillary number indicatesgreater fluid stability upon exiting the die. The Capillary number isdefined as follows:

${Ca} = \frac{V*\eta}{\sigma}$V is the fluid velocity at the die exit (units of Length per Time),η is the fluid viscosity at the conditions of the die (units of Mass perLength*Time),σ is the surface tension of the fluid (units of mass per Time²). Whenvelocity, viscosity, and surface tension are expressed in a set ofconsistent units, the resulting Capillary number will have no units ofits own; the individual units will cancel out.

The Capillary number is defined for the conditions at the exit of thedie. The fluid velocity is the average velocity of the fluid passingthrough the die opening. The average velocity is defined as follows:

$V = \frac{V\; o\; l^{\prime}}{Area}$Vol′=volumetric flowrate (units of Length³ per Time)Area=cross-sectional area of the die exit (units of Length²).

When the die opening is a circular hole, then the fluid velocity can bedefined as

$V = \frac{V\; o\; l^{\prime}}{\pi*R^{2}}$R is the radius of the circular hole (units of length).

The fluid viscosity will depend on the temperature and may depend of theshear rate. The definition of a shear thinning fluid includes adependence on the shear rate. The surface tension will depend on themakeup of the fluid and the temperature of the fluid.

In a fiber spinning process, the filaments need to have initialstability as they leave the die. The Capillary number is used tocharacterize this initial stability criterion. At the conditions of thedie, the Capillary number should be greater than 1 and/or greater than4.

In one example, the filament-forming composition exhibits a CapillaryNumber of from at least 1 to about 50 and/or at least 3 to about 50and/or at least 5 to about 30.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise one ormore release agents and/or lubricants. Non-limiting examples of suitablerelease agents and/or lubricants include fatty acids, fatty acid salts,fatty alcohols, fatty esters, sulfonated fatty acid esters, fatty amineacetates and fatty amides, silicones, aminosilicones, fluoropolymers andmixtures thereof.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise one ormore antiblocking and/or detackifying agents. Non-limiting examples ofsuitable antiblocking and/or detackifying agents include starches,modified starches, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, crosslinkedcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, metallic oxides, calciumcarbonate, talc and mica.

Active agents may be added to the filament-forming composition prior toand/or during filament formation and/or may be added to the filamentafter filament formation. For example, a perfume active agent may beapplied to the filament and/or nonwoven web comprising the filamentafter the filament and/or nonwoven web are formed. In another example,an enzyme active agent may be applied to the filament and/or nonwovenweb comprising the filament after the filament and/or nonwoven web areformed. In still another example, one or more particulate active agents,such as one or more ingestible active agents, such as bismuthsubsalicylate, which may not be suitable for passing through thespinning process for making the filament, may be applied to the filamentand/or nonwoven web comprising the filament after the filament and/ornonwoven web are formed.

V. Method for Making a Filament

Filaments may be made by any suitable process. A non-limiting example ofa suitable process for making the filaments is described below.

In one example, a method for making a filament comprises the steps of:a. providing a filament-forming composition comprising one or morefilament-forming materials and one or more active agents; and b.spinning the filament-forming composition into one or more filamentscomprising the one or more filament-forming materials and the one ormore active agents that are releasable from the filament when exposed toconditions of intended use, wherein the total level of the one or morefilament-forming materials present in the filament is less than 65%and/or 50% or less by weight on a dry filament basis and/or drydetergent product basis and the total level of the one or more activeagents present in the filament is greater than 35% and/or 50% or greaterby weight on a dry filament basis and/or dry detergent product basis.

In one example, during the spinning step, any volatile solvent, such aswater, present in the filament-forming composition is removed, such asby drying, as the filament is formed. In one example, greater than 30%and/or greater than 40% and/or greater than 50% of the weight of thefilament-forming composition's volatile solvent, such as water, isremoved during the spinning step, such as by drying the filament beingproduced.

The filament-forming composition may comprise any suitable total levelof filament-forming materials and any suitable level of active agents solong as the filament produced from the filament-forming compositioncomprises a total level of filament-forming materials in the filament offrom about 5% to 50% or less by weight on a dry filament basis and/ordry detergent product basis and a total level of active agents in thefilament of from 50% to about 95% by weight on a dry filament basisand/or dry detergent product basis.

In one example, the filament-forming composition may comprise anysuitable total level of filament-forming materials and any suitablelevel of active agents so long as the filament produced from thefilament-forming composition comprises a total level of filament-formingmaterials in the filament of from about 5% to 50% or less by weight on adry filament basis and/or dry detergent product basis and a total levelof active agents in the filament of from 50% to about 95% by weight on adry filament basis and/or dry detergent product basis, wherein theweight ratio of filament-forming material to additive is 1 or less.

In one example, the filament-forming composition comprises from about 1%and/or from about 5% and/or from about 10% to about 50% and/or to about40% and/or to about 30% and/or to about 20% by weight of thefilament-forming composition of filament-forming materials; from about1% and/or from about 5% and/or from about 10% to about 50% and/or toabout 40% and/or to about 30% and/or to about 20% by weight of thefilament-forming composition of active agents; and from about 20% and/orfrom about 25% and/or from about 30% and/or from about 40% and/or toabout 80% and/or to about 70% and/or to about 60% and/or to about 50% byweight of the filament-forming composition of a volatile solvent, suchas water. The filament-forming composition may comprise minor amounts ofother active agents, such as less than 10% and/or less than 5% and/orless than 3% and/or less than 1% by weight of the filament-formingcomposition of plasticizers, pH adjusting agents, and other activeagents.

The filament-forming composition is spun into one or more filaments byany suitable spinning process, such as meltblowing and/or spunbonding.In one example, the filament-forming composition is spun into aplurality of filaments by meltblowing. For example, the filament-formingcomposition may be pumped from an extruder to a meltblown spinnerette.Upon exiting one or more of the filament-forming holes in thespinnerette, the filament-forming composition is attenuated with air tocreate one or more filaments. The filaments may then be dried to removeany remaining solvent used for spinning, such as the water.

Filaments may be collected on a molding member, such as a patterned beltto form a fibrous structure.

VI. Detergent Product

Detergent products comprising one or more active agents can exhibitnovel properties, features, and/or combinations thereof compared toknown detergent products comprising one or more active agents.

A. Fibrous Structure

In one example, a detergent product may comprise a fibrous structure,for example a web. One or more, and/or a plurality of filaments may forma fibrous structure by any suitable process known in the art. Thefibrous structure may be used to deliver the active agents from thefilaments when the fibrous structure is exposed to conditions ofintended use of the filaments and/or the fibrous structure.

Even though fibrous structures may be in solid form, thefilament-forming composition used to make the filaments may be in theform of a liquid.

In one example, a fibrous structure may comprise a plurality ofidentical or substantially identical from a compositional perspectivefilaments. In another example, the fibrous structure may comprise two ormore different filaments. Non-limiting examples of differences in thefilaments may be physical differences such as differences in diameter,length, texture, shape, rigidness, elasticity, and the like; chemicaldifferences such as crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg,active agent, filament-forming material, color, level of active agent,level of filament-forming material, presence of any coating on filament,biodegradable or not, hydrophobic or not, contact angle, and the like;differences in whether the filament loses its physical structure whenthe filament is exposed to conditions of intended use; differences inwhether the filament's morphology changes when the filament is exposedto conditions of intended use; and differences in rate at which thefilament releases one or more of its active agents when the filament isexposed to conditions of intended use. In one example, two or morefilaments within the fibrous structure may comprise the samefilament-forming material, but have different active agents. This may bethe case where the different active agents may be incompatible with oneanother, for example an anionic surfactant (such as a shampoo activeagent) and a cationic surfactant (such as a hair conditioner activeagent).

In another example, a fibrous structure may comprise two or moredifferent layers (in the z-direction of the fibrous structure offilaments that form the fibrous structure. The filaments in a layer maybe the same as or different from the filaments of another layer. Eachlayer may comprise a plurality of identical or substantially identicalor different filaments. For example, filaments that may release theiractive agents at a faster rate than others within the fibrous structuremay be positioned to an external surface of the fibrous structure.

In another example, a fibrous structure may exhibit different regions,such as different regions of basis weight, density and/or caliper. Inyet another example, the fibrous structure may comprise texture on oneor more of its surfaces. A surface of the fibrous structure may comprisea pattern, such as a non-random, repeating pattern. The fibrousstructure may be embossed with an emboss pattern. In another example,the fibrous structure may comprise apertures. The apertures may bearranged in a non-random, repeating pattern.

In one example, a fibrous structure may comprise discrete regions offilaments that differ from other parts of the fibrous structure.

Non-limiting examples of use of a fibrous structure include, but are notlimited to a laundry dryer substrate, washing machine substrate,washcloth, hard surface cleaning and/or polishing substrate, floorcleaning and/or polishing substrate, as a component in a battery, babywipe, adult wipe, feminine hygiene wipe, bath tissue wipe, windowcleaning substrate, oil containment and/or scavenging substrate, insectrepellant substrate, swimming pool chemical substrate, food, breathfreshener, deodorant, waste disposal bag, packaging film and/or wrap,wound dressing, medicine delivery, building insulation, crops and/orplant cover and/or bedding, glue substrate, skin care substrate, haircare substrate, air care substrate, water treatment substrate and/orfilter, toilet bowl cleaning substrate, candy substrate, pet food,livestock bedding, teeth whitening substrates, carpet cleaningsubstrates, and other suitable uses of the active agents.

A fibrous structure may be used as is or may be coated with one or moreactive agents.

In another example, a fibrous structure may be pressed into a film, forexample by applying a compressive force and/or heating the fibrousstructure to convert the fibrous structure into a film. The film wouldcomprise the active agents that were present in the filaments. Thefibrous structure may be completely converted into a film or parts ofthe fibrous structure may remain in the film after partial conversion ofthe fibrous structure into the film. The films may be used for anysuitable purposes that the active agents may be used for including, butnot limited to the uses exemplified for the fibrous structure.

B. Methods of Use of the Detergent Product

The nonwoven webs or films comprising one or more fabric care activeagents may be utilized in a method for treating a fabric article. Themethod of treating a fabric article may comprise one or more stepsselected from the group consisting of: (a) pre-treating the fabricarticle before washing the fabric article; (b) contacting the fabricarticle with a wash liquor formed by contacting the nonwoven web or filmwith water; (c) contacting the fabric article with the nonwoven web orfilm in a dryer; (d) drying the fabric article in the presence of thenonwoven web or film in a dryer; and (e) combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the step ofpre-moistening the nonwoven web or film prior to contacting it to thefabric article to be pre-treated. For example, the nonwoven web or filmcan be pre-moistened with water and then adhered to a portion of thefabric comprising a stain that is to be pre-treated. Alternatively, thefabric may be moistened and the web or film placed on or adheredthereto. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the stepof selecting of only a portion of the nonwoven web or film for use intreating a fabric article. For example, if only one fabric care articleis to be treated, a portion of the nonwoven web or film may be cutand/or torn away and either placed on or adhered to the fabric or placedinto water to form a relatively small amount of wash liquor which isthen used to pre-treat the fabric. In this way, the user may customizethe fabric treatment method according to the task at hand. In someembodiments, at least a portion of a nonwoven web or film may be appliedto the fabric to be treated using a device. Exemplary devices include,but are not limited to, brushes and sponges. Any one or more of theaforementioned steps may be repeated to achieve the desired fabrictreatment benefit.

VII. Method of Making Fibrous Structure

The following methods were used in forming inventive examples 1-8described herein. Fibrous structures were formed by means of asmall-scale apparatus, a schematic representation of which is shown inFIG. 7. A pressurized tank, suitable for batch operation was filled witha suitable material for spinning. The pump used was a Zenith®, type PEPII, having a capacity of 5.0 cubic centimeters per revolution (cc/rev),manufactured by Parker Hannifin Corporation, Zenith Pumps division, ofSanford, N.C., USA. The material flow to a die was controlled byadjusting the number of revolutions per minute (rpm) of the pump. Pipesconnected the tank, the pump, and the die.

The die in FIG. 8 had several rows of circular extrusion nozzles spacedfrom one another at a pitch P (FIG. 8) of about 1.524 millimeters (about0.060 inches). The nozzles had individual inner diameters of about 0.305millimeters (about 0.012 inches) and individual outside diameters ofabout 0.813 millimeters (about 0.032 inches). Each individual nozzle wasencircled by an annular and divergently flared orifice to supplyattenuation air to each individual melt capillary. The material extrudedthrough the nozzles was surrounded and attenuated by generallycylindrical, humidified air streams supplied through the orifices.

Attenuation air can be provided by heating compressed air from a sourceby an electrical-resistance heater, for example, a heater manufacturedby Chromalox, Division of Emerson Electric, of Pittsburgh, Pa., USA. Anappropriate quantity of steam was added to saturate or nearly saturatethe heated air at the conditions in the electrically heated,thermostatically controlled delivery pipe. Condensate was removed in anelectrically heated, thermostatically controlled, separator.

The embryonic fibers were dried by a drying air stream having atemperature from about 149° C. (about 300° F.) to about 315° C. (about600° F.) by an electrical resistance heater (not shown) supplied throughdrying nozzles and discharged at an angle of about 90 degrees relativeto the general orientation of the non-thermoplastic embryonic fibersbeing extruded. The dried embryonic fibers were collected on acollection device, such as, for example, a movable foraminous belt ormolding member. The addition of a vacuum source directly under theformation zone may be used to aid collection of the fibers.

Table 1 below sets forth an example of a filament-forming compositionfor making filaments and/or a fibrous structure suitable for use as alaundry detergent. This mixture was made and placed in the pressurizedtank in FIG. 8.

TABLE 1 Filament- Filament (i.e., forming Filament- components Percentby composition Forming remaining weight on a dry (i.e., premix)Composition upon drying) filament basis (%) (%) (%) (%) C12-15 AES 28.4511.38 11.38 28.07 C11.8 HLAS 12.22 4.89 4.89 12.05 MEA 7.11 2.85 2.857.02 N67HSAS 4.51 1.81 1.81 4.45 Glycerol 3.08 1.23 1.23 3.04 PE-20,3.00 1.20 1.20 2.95 Polyethyleneimine Ethoxylate, PEI 600 E20Ethoxylated/Propoxylated 2.95 1.18 1.18 2.91 PolyethyleneimineBrightener 15 2.20 0.88 0.88 2.17 Amine Oxide 1.46 0.59 0.59 1.44 Sasol24,9 Nonionic 1.24 0.50 0.50 1.22 Surfactant DTPA (Chelant) 1.08 0.430.43 1.06 Tiron (Chelant) 1.08 0.43 0.43 1.06 Celvol 523 PVOH¹ 0.00013.20 13.20 32.55 Water 31.63 59.43 — — ¹Celvol 523, Celanese/Sekisui,MW 85,000-124,000, 87-89% hydrolyzed

The dry embryonic filaments may be collected on a molding member asdescribed above. The construction of the molding member will provideareas that are air-permeable due to the inherent construction. Thefilaments that are used to construct the molding member will benon-permeable while the void areas between the filaments will bepermeable. Additionally a pattern may be applied to the molding memberto provide additional non-permeable areas which may be continuous,discontinuous, or semi-continuous in nature. A vacuum used at the pointof lay down is used to help deflect fibers into the presented pattern.An example of one of these molding members is shown in FIG. 9.

Base spinning conditions were achieved with a fibrous web beingcollected on the collecting molding member. These were passed beneaththe die and samples were collected after the vacuum. This process wasrepeated and samples collected with eight molding members of varyingdesign. Representative pictures of the molding member and the resultingfibrous structures are shown in FIG. 10 (e.g., Inventive Examples 1-8described herein). These fibrous structures may then be furtherprocessed.

Processes for forming the fibrous structure are further described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,637,859.

In addition to the techniques described herein in forming regions withinthe fibrous structures having a different properties (e.g., averagedensities), other techniques can also be applied to provide suitableresults. One such example includes embossing techniques to form suchregions. Suitable embossing techniques are described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication Nos. 2010/0297377, 2010/0295213, 2010/0295206,2010/0028621, and 2006/0278355.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein including thosedescribed under the Definitions section and the following test methodsare conducted on samples that have been conditioned at a temperature of23° C.±1 C.° and a relative humidity of 50%±2% for a minimum of 2 hoursprior to testing. All tests are conducted under the same environmentalconditions. Do not test samples that have defects such as wrinkles,tears, holes, and like. Samples conditioned as described herein areconsidered dry samples (such as “dry filaments”) for purposes. Further,all tests are conducted in such conditioned room.

Basis Weight Test Method

Basis weight of a nonwoven structure and/or a dissolving fibrousstructure is measured on stacks of twelve usable units using a toploading analytical balance with a resolution of ±0.001 g. The balance isprotected from air drafts and other disturbances using a draft shield. Aprecision cutting die, measuring 3.500 in±0.0035 in by 3.500 in±0.0035in is used to prepare all samples.

With a precision cutting die, cut the samples into squares. Combine thecut squares to form a stack twelve samples thick. Measure the mass ofthe sample stack and record the result to the nearest 0.001 g.

The Basis Weight is calculated in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m² as follows:Basis Weight=(Mass of stack)/[(Area of 1 square in stack)×(Number ofsquares in stack)]For example,Basis Weight (lbs/3000 ft²)=[[Mass of stack (g)/453.6 (g/lbs)]/[12.25(in²)/144 (in²/ft²)×12]]×3000or,Basis Weight (g/m²)=Mass of stack (g)/[79.032 (cm²)/10,000 (cm²/m²)×12]

Report result to the nearest 0.1 lbs/3000 ft² or 0.1 g/m². Sampledimensions can be changed or varied using a similar precision cutter asmentioned above, so as at least 100 square inches of sample area instack.

Water Content Test Method

The water (moisture) content present in a filament and/or fiber and/ornonwoven web is measured using the following Water Content Test Method.

A filament and/or nonwoven or portion thereof (“sample”) in the form ofa pre-cut sheet is placed in a conditioned room at a temperature of 23°C.±1° C. and a relative humidity of 50%±2% for at least 24 hours priorto testing. Each sample has an area of at least 4 square inches, butsmall enough in size to fit appropriately on the balance weighing plate.Under the temperature and humidity conditions mentioned above, using abalance with at least four decimal places, the weight of the sample isrecorded every five minutes until a change of less than 0.5% of previousweight is detected during a 10 minute period. The final weight isrecorded as the “equilibrium weight”. Within 10 minutes, the samples areplaced into the forced air oven on top of foil for 24 hours at 70° C.±2°C. at a relative humidity of 4%±2% for drying. After the 24 hours ofdrying, the sample is removed and weighed within 15 seconds. This weightis designated as the “dry weight” of the sample.

The water (moisture) content of the sample is calculated as follows:

${\%\mspace{14mu}{Water}\mspace{14mu}({moisture})\mspace{14mu}{in}\mspace{14mu}{sample}} = {100\% \times \frac{\left( {{{Equilibrium}\mspace{14mu}{weight}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{sample}} - {{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{weight}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{sample}}} \right)}{{Dry}\mspace{14mu}{weight}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{sample}}}$The % Water (moisture) in sample for 3 replicates is averaged to givethe reported % Water (moisture) in sample. Report results to the nearest0.1%.Dissolution Test Method

Apparatus and Materials (Also, See FIGS. 11 and 12):

600 mL Beaker 240

Magnetic Stirrer 250 (Labline Model No. 1250 or equivalent)

Magnetic Stirring Rod 260 (5 cm)

Thermometer (1 to 100° C.+/−1° C.)

Cutting Die—Stainless Steel cutting die with dimensions 3.8 cm×3.2 cm

Timer (0-3,600 seconds or 1 hour), accurate to the nearest second. Timerused should have sufficient total time measurement range if sampleexhibits dissolution time greater than 3,600 seconds. However, timerneeds to be accurate to the nearest second.

Polaroid 35 mm Slide Mount 270 (commercially available from PolaroidCorporation or equivalent)-)

35 mm Slide Mount Holder 280 (or equivalent)

City of Cincinnati Water or equivalent having the following properties:Total Hardness=155 mg/L as CaCO₃; Calcium content=33.2 mg/L; Magnesiumcontent=17.5 mg/L; Phosphate content=0.0462.

Test Protocol

Equilibrate samples in constant temperature and humidity environment of23° C.±1° C. and 50% RH±2% for at least 2 hours.

Measure the basis weight of the sample materials using Basis WeightMethod defined herein.

Cut three dissolution test specimens from nonwoven structure sampleusing cutting die (3.8 cm×3.2 cm), so it fits within the 35 mm slidemount 270 which has an open area dimensions 24×36 mm.

Lock each specimen in a separate 35 mm slide mount 270.

Place magnetic stirring rod 260 into the 600 mL beaker 240.

Turn on the city water tap flow (or equivalent) and measure watertemperature with thermometer and, if necessary, adjust the hot or coldwater to maintain it at the testing temperature. Testing temperature is15° C.±1° C. water. Once at testing temperature, fill beaker 240 with500 mL±5 mL of the 15° C.±1° C. city water.

Place full beaker 240 on magnetic stirrer 250, turn on stirrer 250, andadjust stir speed until a vortex develops and the bottom of the vortexis at the 400 mL mark on the beaker 240.

Secure the 35 mm slide mount 270 in the alligator clamp 281 of the 35 mmslide mount holder 280 such that the long end 271 of the slide mount 270is parallel to the water surface. The alligator clamp 281 should bepositioned in the middle of the long end 271 of the slide mount 270. Thedepth adjuster 285 of the holder 280 should be set so that the distancebetween the bottom of the depth adjuster 285 and the bottom of thealligator clip 281 is ˜11+/−0.125 inches. This set up will position thesample surface perpendicular to the flow of the water. A slightlymodified example of an arrangement of a 35 mm slide mount and slidemount holder are shown in FIGS. 1-3 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,787,512.

In one motion, drop the secured slide and clamp into the water and startthe timer. The sample is dropped so that the sample is centered in thebeaker. Disintegration occurs when the nonwoven structure breaks apart.Record this as the disintegration time. When all of the visible nonwovenstructure is released from the slide mount, raise the slide out of thewater while continuing the monitor the solution for undissolved nonwovenstructure fragments. Dissolution occurs when all nonwoven structurefragments are no longer visible. Record this as the dissolution time.

Three replicates of each sample are run and the average disintegrationand dissolution times are recorded. Average disintegration anddissolution times are in units of seconds.

The average disintegration and dissolution times are normalized forbasis weight by dividing each by the sample basis weight as determinedby the Basis Weight Method defined herein. Basis weight normalizeddisintegration and dissolution times are in units of seconds/gsm ofsample (s/(g/m²)).

Average Density Test Method

Fibrous structures can comprise network regions and pluralities ofdiscrete zones which have characteristic densities. A cross-sectional,SEM micrograph of such a fibrous structure is shown in FIG. 13. Theregions of the fibrous structure are illustrated in the micrograph bythe zones comprising different caliper or thickness. These caliperdifferences are one of the factors responsible for the superiorperformance characteristics of these fibrous structures.

The regions with higher caliper are lower in structure density and theseare typically referred to as “pillows”. The regions with lower caliperare higher in structure density and these are typically referred to as“knuckles.”

The density of the regions within a fibrous structure is measured byfirst cutting for a length of at least 2-3 knuckle and pillow regionswith a previously unused single edge PTFE-treated razor blade such asthe GEM® razor blades available from Ted Pella Inc. Only one cut is madeper razor blade. Each cross-sectioned sample is mounted on a SEM sampleholder, secured by carbon paste, then plunged and frozen in liquidnitrogen. The sample is transferred to an SEM chamber at −90° C., coatedwith Gold/Palladium for 60 seconds and analyzed using a commerciallyavailable SEM equipped with a cryo-system such as a Hitachi S-4700 withAlto cryo system and PCI (Passive Capture Imaging) software for imageanalysis or an equivalent SEM system and equivalent software. Allsamples are evaluated while frozen to ensure their original size andshape under vacuum while in the scanning electron microscope.

Pillow and knuckle thickness or network regions and discrete zonethickness are determined using image analysis software associated withthe SEM equipment. As the measurements are the thickness of a sample,such analysis software is standard for all SEM equipment. Measurementsare taken where the thickness of the region or zone are at theirrespective local maximum values. Thickness values for at least 2individual, separate network regions (or discrete zone) are recorded andthen averaged and reported as the average network region thickness. Theaverage thickness is measured in units of microns.

Separately, the basis weight of the sample being measured for density isdetermined using the basis weight method defined herein. The basisweight as measured in gsm (g/m²) is calculated using the Basis WeightMethod and used to calculate the region density.

Below is an example for calculating the average network density andaverage discrete zone density for a sample with a basis weight of 100g/m², a network region average thickness of 625 micron, and a discretezone average thickness of 311 micron.

${{Average}\mspace{14mu}{network}\mspace{14mu}{{density}\left( \frac{g}{cc} \right)}} = {\frac{{basic}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{weight}}{{network}\mspace{14mu}{thickness}} = {\frac{100\frac{g}{m^{2}}}{625 \times 10^{- 6}\mspace{20mu} m} \times \frac{m^{2}}{1 \times 10^{6}\mspace{14mu}{cc}}0.16\frac{g}{cc}}}$${{Average}\mspace{14mu}{discrete}\mspace{14mu}{zone}\mspace{14mu}{{density}\left( \frac{g}{cc} \right)}} = {\frac{{basic}{\mspace{11mu}\;}{weight}}{{discrete}\mspace{14mu}{zone}\mspace{14mu}{thickness}} = {\frac{100\frac{g}{m^{2}}}{311 \times 10^{- 6}\mspace{20mu} m} \times \frac{m^{2}}{1 \times 10^{6}\mspace{14mu}{cc}}0.32\frac{g}{cc}}}$Diameter Test Method

The diameter of a discrete filament or a filament within a nonwoven webor film is determined by using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) oran Optical Microscope and an image analysis software. A magnification of200 to 10,000 times is chosen such that the filaments are suitablyenlarged for measurement. When using the SEM, the samples are sputteredwith gold or a palladium compound to avoid electric charging andvibrations of the filament in the electron beam. A manual procedure fordetermining the filament diameters is used from the image (on monitorscreen) taken with the SEM or the optical microscope. Using a mouse anda cursor tool, the edge of a randomly selected filament is sought andthen measured across its width (i.e., perpendicular to filamentdirection at that point) to the other edge of the filament. A scaled andcalibrated image analysis tool provides the scaling to get actualreading in μm. For filaments within a nonwoven web or film, severalfilament are randomly selected across the sample of the nonwoven web orfilm using the SEM or the optical microscope. At least two portions thenonwoven web or film (or web inside a product) are cut and tested inthis manner. Altogether at least 100 such measurements are made and thenall data are recorded for statistical analysis. The recorded data areused to calculate average (mean) of the filament diameters, standarddeviation of the filament diameters, and median of the filamentdiameters.

Another useful statistic is the calculation of the amount of thepopulation of filaments that is below a certain upper limit. Todetermine this statistic, the software is programmed to count how manyresults of the filament diameters are below an upper limit and thatcount (divided by total number of data and multiplied by 100%) isreported in percent as percent below the upper limit, such as percentbelow 1 micrometer diameter or %-submicron, for example. We denote themeasured diameter (in μm) of an individual circular filament as di.

In case the filaments have non-circular cross-sections, the measurementof the filament diameter is determined as and set equal to the hydraulicdiameter which is four times the cross-sectional area of the filamentdivided by the perimeter of the cross-section of the filament (outerperimeter in case of hollow filaments). The number-average diameter,alternatively average diameter is calculated as:

$d_{num} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}d_{i}}{n}$Tensile Test Method: Elongation, Tensile Strength, TEA and Modulus

Elongation, Tensile Strength, TEA and Tangent Modulus are measured on aconstant rate of extension tensile tester with computer interface (asuitable instrument is the EJA Vantage from the Thwing-Albert InstrumentCo. Wet Berlin, N.J.) using a load cell for which the forces measuredare within 10% to 90% of the limit of the cell. Both the movable (upper)and stationary (lower) pneumatic jaws are fitted with smooth stainlesssteel faced grips, 25.4 mm in height and wider than the width of thetest specimen. An air pressure of about 60 psi is supplied to the jaws.

Eight usable units of nonwoven structure and/or dissolving fibrousstructure are divided into two stacks of four samples each. The samplesin each stack are consistently oriented with respect to machinedirection (MD) and cross direction (CD). One of the stacks is designatedfor testing in the MD and the other for CD. Using a one inch precisioncutter (Thwing Albert JDC-1-10, or similar) cut 4 MD strips from onestack, and 4 CD strips from the other, with dimensions of 1.00 in±0.01in wide by 3.0-4.0 in long. Each strip of one usable unit thick will betreated as a unitary specimen for testing.

Program the tensile tester to perform an extension test, collectingforce and extension data at an acquisition rate of 20 Hz as thecrosshead raises at a rate of 2.00 in/min (5.08 cm/min) until thespecimen breaks. The break sensitivity is set to 80%, i.e., the test isterminated when the measured force drops to 20% of the maximum peakforce, after which the crosshead is returned to its original position.

Set the gauge length to 1.00 inch. Zero the crosshead and load cell.Insert at least 1.0 in of the unitary specimen into the upper grip,aligning it vertically within the upper and lower jaws and close theupper grips. Insert the unitary specimen into the lower grips and close.The unitary specimen should be under enough tension to eliminate anyslack, but less than 5.0 g of force on the load cell. Start the tensiletester and data collection. Repeat testing in like fashion for all fourCD and four MD unitary specimens.

Program the software to calculate the following from the constructedforce (g) verses extension (in) curve:

Tensile Strength is the maximum peak force (g) divided by the samplewidth (in) and reported as g/in to the nearest 1 g/in.

Adjusted Gauge Length is calculated as the extension measured at 3.0 gof force (in) added to the original gauge length (in).

Elongation is calculated as the extension at maximum peak force (in)divided by the Adjusted Gauge Length (in) multiplied by 100 and reportedas % to the nearest 0.1%

Total Energy (TEA) is calculated as the area under the force curveintegrated from zero extension to the extension at the maximum peakforce (g*in), divided by the product of the adjusted Gauge Length (in)and specimen width (in) and is reported out to the nearest 1 g*in/in².

Replot the force (g) verses extension (in) curve as a force (g) versesstrain curve. Strain is herein defined as the extension (in) divided bythe Adjusted Gauge Length (in).

Program the software to calculate the following from the constructedforce (g) verses strain curve:

Tangent Modulus is calculated as the slope of the linear line drawnbetween the two data points on the force (g) versus strain curve, whereone of the data points used is the first data point recorded after 28 gforce, and the other data point used is the first data point recordedafter 48 g force. This slope is then divided by the specimen width (2.54cm) and reported to the nearest 1 g/cm.

The Tensile Strength (g/in), Elongation (%), Total Energy (g*in/in²) andTangent Modulus (g/cm) are calculated for the four CD unitary specimensand the four MD unitary specimens. Calculate an average for eachparameter separately for the CD and MD specimens.Calculations:Geometric Mean Tensile=Square Root of [MD Tensile Strength (g/in)×CDTensile Strength (g/in)]Geometric Mean Peak Elongation=Square Root of [MD Elongation (%)×CDElongation (%)]Geometric Mean TEA=Square Root of [MD TEA (g*in/in²)×CD TEA (g*in/in²)]Geometric Mean Modulus=Square Root of [MD Modulus (g/cm)×CD Modulus(g/cm)]Total Dry Tensile Strength (TDT)=MD Tensile Strength (g/in)+CD TensileStrength (g/in)Total TEA=MD TEA (g*in/in²)+CD TEA (g*in/in²)Total Modulus=MD Modulus (g/cm)+CD Modulus (g/cm)Tensile Ratio=MD Tensile Strength (g/in)/CD Tensile Strength (g/in)Topographic Measurements of Differential Density Fibrous Structures

Topographic measurements of differential density fibrous structures areobtained via computer-controlled fringe-projection optical profilometry.Optical profilometer systems measure the physical dimensions of the testsurface, resulting in a map of surface height elevation (z), versuslateral displacement in the x-y plane. A suitable optical profilometerinstrument will have a field of view and x-y resolution such that theacquired images possess at least 10 pixels linearly across the narrowestfeature being measured. A suitable instrument is a GFM Mikrocad system,running ODSCAD software version 4 or 6, or equivalent, available fromGFMessthechnik GmbH, Teltow, Germany.

If necessary in order to make samples suitably reflective for accuratemeasurement of the surface features, the surface to be measured islightly sprayed with a very fine white powder spray. Preferably thisspray is NORD-TEST Developer U 89, available from Helling GmbH,Heidgraben, Germany, which is sold for the detection of cracks in metalobjects and welds. Samples should be equilibrated at 23° C.±2° C. and50%±2% relative humidity for at least 2 hours immediately prior toapplying such a spray, and for at least 2 hours after spraying. Care istaken to deposit only the minimum amount of white spray needed to createa thin reflective white coating.

Samples should be equilibrated at 23° C.±2° C. and 50%±2% relativehumidity for at least 2 hours immediately prior to acquiringmeasurements.

The area of the fibrous structure to be measured is restricted solely toareas possessing regions with different densities and excluding otherareas or zones that might be present. The sample is placed with thesurface area to be measured facing upward, underneath and normal to, theprofilometer's projection head. The instrument manufacturer'sinstructions are followed, and optimized illumination and reflectionrequirements are achieved as outlined by the manufacturer. Digitalimages are then captured and stored.

Any portion of the image that is not part of the area to be measuredshould be cropped out of the captured image. Such cropping must occurprior to any further image processing, filtering or measurementanalysis. The size of the resultant cropped image may vary betweensamples and images, depending upon the dimensions of the patterned areaof that sample.

Prior to making measurements, the images are processed in the instrumentsoftware, in order to lightly smooth noise in the images, and to reduceirregularity or waviness due to the sample's overall shape. This noisefiltering processing includes the removal of invalid pixel values (thoseblack pixels having a grey value at the dark limit of the grayscalerange), and the removal of spike values or outlier peaks (those verybright pixels identified by the software as statistical outliers). Apolynomial high-pass filter is then utilized with settings of: n=8,difference. For samples with very small features where it is difficultto clearly observe the pattern features, it may be useful to also applya Fourier filter (for example: a 5 mm wave filter, fine structureresult). When such a Fourier filter is used, it removes features largerthan the filter length as noise, and consequently reduces variability,lowering the statistical standard deviation around the topographymeasurements. It is therefore essential that the size of the filter usedis larger than any features of interest so as not to filter out saidfeatures. Processed images such as the topography image shown in FIG.14, can be displayed, analyzed and measured. FIG. 14 was cropped thenflattened via filtering with a polynomial (n=8 difference) filter toremove irregularity due to the sample's overall waviness.

Measurements are then made from the processed topography images to yieldthe spatial parameters of elevation differential (E), and transitionregion width (T). These measurements are achieved by using theinstrument software to draw straight line regions of interest within atopography image of the sample's x-y surface, and to then generateheight profile plots along these straight lines. The straight lineregions of interest are drawn such that they sample several differentlocations within each image, crossing continuous regions and the centerof adjacent discrete zones. The lines are drawn so that they bisect eachtransition region between continuous and discrete zones at an angleperpendicular to the long axis of the transition region, as shown inFIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, a series of straight line regions ofinterest, drawn across the continuous and discrete zones, bisecting eachtransition region at an angle perpendicular to the long axis of thetransition region. The parameters (E) and (T) are then measured from theheight profile plots generated from these straight line regions ofinterest.

In a height profile plot, the plot's x-axis represents the length of theline, and the y-axis represents the vertical elevation of the surfaceperpendicular to the sample's planar surface. The elevation differential(E) is measured in micrometers as the vertical straight-line distancefrom the apex of a peak to the lowest point of an adjacent recess, on aheight profile plot as shown in FIG. 16. As illustrated in FIG. 16, theheight profile plot along a straight line region of interest, drawnthrough a topography image, shows several elevation differential (E)measurements. Typically this represents the maximum vertical elevationdifferential between the surface of a continuous region and an adjacentdiscrete zone, or vice versa. The transition region width (T) ismeasured in micrometers as the x-axis width of the curve across thecentral sixty percent (60%) of the elevation differential (E), on aheight profile plot as shown in FIG. 17. As illustrated in FIG. 17, theheight profile plot along a straight line region of interest, drawnthrough a topography image, shows several transition region widths (T).Typically, this represents the rate of transition from a continuousregion to an adjacent discrete zone, or vice versa.

Where a sample has discrete zones which appear to fall into two or moredistinct classes, as determined by visually observing their overallshape, size, elevation, and density, then separate values of (E) and (T)are to be determined for each discrete zone class and adjacentcontinuous region pairing.

If the sample visibly appears to have more than one pattern of discretezones in different locations on the product, then each pattern is tohave its values of (E) and (T) determined separately from the otherpattern(s).

If a sample has a first region and an adjacent second region, whereinthe first and second regions visibly appear to differ in their surfaceelevation, then the product is to have values of (E) and (T) measuredfrom these regions. In this case all the method instructions givenherein are to be followed and the first and second regions substitutedfor both the continuous region and the discrete zones named in thismethod.

For each pattern to be tested, five replicate product samples areimaged, and from each replicate sample measurements are made of at leastten elevation differentials (E) for each class of discrete zone, and tentransition region widths (T) for each class of discrete zone. This isrepeated for each planar surface of each sample. Values of (E) and (T)are reported from the planar surface possessing the largest value of(E). For each parameter calculated for a specific pattern and discretezone class, the values from each of the five replicate samples areaveraged together to give the final value for each parameter.

Examples

Provided below are Inventive Examples 1-8. As illustrated the averagethickness and average density of the network region and the discretezones can vary. Also shown, Inventive Example 2 illustrates a samplehaving multiple regions and provides an average thickness and averagedensity for each of those regions.

Basis Average Network Average Discrete Average Discrete Inventive weightThickness Average Network Zone Thickness Zone Density Ratio ofNetwork/Discrete Examples Region (gsm) (microns) Density (g/cc)(microns) (g/cc) Zone Density 1 100 313.0 0.32 775.0 0.13 2.5 2 region 1114.3 1108.0 0.10 region 2 674.0 0.17 region 3 284 0.40 region 4 3570.32 region 5 251 0.46 3 94.7 552.0 0.17 307.5 0.31 0.6 4 108.7 312.50.35 552.3 0.20 1.8 5 100 401.8 0.25 539.5 0.19 1.3 6 100 336.0 0.30465.7 0.21 1.4 7 100 208.3 0.48 364.8 0.27 1.8 8 86.6 458.6 0.19 278.10.31 0.6

Provided below are MD Tensile Strength, MD Peak Elongation, MD TEA, andMD Modulus values for Inventive Examples 3, 4 and 8.

MD Tensile MD Peak Basis Weight Thickness Strength Elongation MD TEA MDModulus Inventive Examples gsm microns g/in % g * in/in² g/cm 3 94.7463.7 644 64.1 318 2302 4 108.7 477.5 688 68.5 372 2793 8 86.6 417.8 63665.2 324 3017

Provided below are CD Tensile Strength, CD Peak Elongation, CD TEA andCD Modulus values for Inventive Examples 3, 4 and 8.

CD Tensile CD Peak Basis Weight Thickness Strength Elongation CD TEA CDModulus Inventive Examples gsm microns g/in % g * in/in² g/cm 3 94.7463.7 579 84.2 359 1059 4 108.7 477.5 629 74.2 362 1853 8 86.6 417.8 58983.7 376 2305

Provided below are geometric mean tensile strength, geometric peakelongation, geometric mean TEA and geometric mean modulus values forInventive Examples 3, 4 and 8.

Geometric Mean Geometric Mean Geometric Mean Geometric Mean Basis WeightThickness Tensile Strength Peak Elongation TEA Modulus InventiveExamples gsm microns g/in % g * in/in² g/cm 3 94.7 463.7 611 73.5 3381562 4 108.7 477.5 658 71.3 367 2275 8 86.6 417.8 612 73.9 349 2637

Provided below is profilometry data relating to Inventive Examples 1-8,including for example elevation differentials (E) and transition regionwidths (T).

Profilometry Elevation Dif- Transition Re- Inventive ferential (E) gionWidths (T) Examples Region microns microns 1 817 2600 2 region 6 1160region 7 1294 region 8 1408 region 9 1900 3 684 2800 4 479 2400 5 2291400 6 168 1300 7 298 1700 8 177 700

Moisture content data is provided below for Inventive Examples 2, 3 and8.

Inventive Moisture Content Examples (%) 2 7.5 3 8.1 8 7.5

Dissolution and disintegration times for Inventive Examples 2-4 and 8are provided below according to the Dissolution Test Method describedherein.

Basis weight Basis weight Basis Disinte- Disso- normalized normalizedInventive weight gration lution disintegration dissolution Examples(gsm) time (s) time (s) time (s/gsm) time (s/gsm) 2 114.3 0.8 167.30.007 1.46 3 94.7 1.3 63.3 0.014 0.67 4 108.7 1.2 63.1 0.011 0.58 8 86.61.3 87.7 0.015 1.01

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

For clarity purposes, the total “% wt” values do not exceed 100% wt.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a fabric article in need oftreatment, the method comprising the step of treating the fabric articlewith a fibrous structure comprising filaments wherein the filamentscomprise one or more filament-forming materials and one or more activeagents that are releasable from the filament when exposed to conditionsof intended use, the fibrous structure further comprising at least anetwork region, a plurality of discrete zones and a transition region,wherein the transition region is adjacent the network region and theplurality of discrete zones, and wherein the transition region comprisesa transition region width of about 100 microns to about 5000 microns. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein a nonwoven web comprises thefibrous structure, and wherein the step of treating comprises one ormore steps selected from the group consisting of: (a) pre-treating thefabric article with the nonwoven web before washing the fabric article;(b) contacting the fabric article with a wash liquor formed bycontacting the nonwoven web with water; (c) contacting the fabricarticle with the nonwoven web in a dryer; (d) drying the fabric articlein the presence of the nonwoven web in a dryer; and (e) combinationsthereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the network regionand plurality of discrete zones have at least one common intensiveproperty, wherein the at least one common intensive property of each ofthe network region and plurality of discrete zones differ in value. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one intensive propertycomprises elevation such that one of the network region and the discretezones comprises an elevation from about 50 microns to about 5000microns.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the network region,plurality of discrete zones and transition region have at least onecommon intensive property, wherein the at least one common intensiveproperty of each of the network region, plurality of discrete zones andtransition region differ in value.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thecommon intensive property is selected from the group consisting ofaverage density, basis weight, elevation, opacity, and any combinationthereof.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the network region issubstantially continuous and the plurality of discrete zones isdispersed throughout the substantially continuous network region.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the network region is semi-continuous.
 9. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the at least one common intensive propertycomprises average density such that the network region comprises a firstaverage density from about 0.05 g/cc to about 0.80 g/cc.
 10. The methodof claim 5, wherein the at least one common intensive property comprisesaverage density such that the discrete zones comprise a second averagedensity from about 0.05 g/cc to about 0.80 g/cc.
 11. The method of claim5, wherein the at least one common intensive property comprises averagedensity such that the network region has a relatively high averagedensity relative to a relatively low average density of the plurality ofdiscrete zones.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transitionregion has an average density value in between those of the networkregion and the discrete zones.
 13. The method of claim 5, wherein the atleast one common intensive property comprises average density such thatthe network region has a relatively low density relative to a relativelyhigh density of the plurality of discrete zones.
 14. The method of claim1, wherein the network region comprises from about 5% to about 95% ofthe total area of the fibrous structure.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of discrete zones region comprises from about 5%to about 95% of the total area of the fibrous structure.
 16. The methodof claim 1, wherein the one or more active agents comprises asurfactant.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the oneor more active agents is selected from the group consisting of: skinbenefit agents, medicinal agents, lotions, fabric care agents,dishwashing agents, carpet care agents, surface care agents, hair careagents, air care agents, and mixtures thereof.
 18. The method of claim1, wherein the fibrous structure comprises two or more different activeagents.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the fibrous structure furthercomprises a dissolution aid.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein thetotal level of the one or more filament-forming materials present in thefilaments is less than 80% by weight on a dry filament basis and thetotal level of the one or more active agents present in the filaments isgreater than 20% by weight on a dry filament basis.
 21. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more filament-forming materials comprises apolymer.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the polymer is selectedfrom the group consisting of: pullulan, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, tragacanth gum,guar gum, acacia gum, Arabic gum, polyacrylic acid, methylmethacrylatecopolymer, carboxyvinyl polymer, dextrin, pectin, chitin, levan,elsinan, collagen, gelatin, zein, gluten, soy protein, casein, polyvinylalcohol, carboxylated polyvinylalcohol, sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol,starch, starch derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulose derivatives,proteins, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, polyethylene glycol,tetramethylene ether glycol, hydroxymethyl cellulose, and mixturesthereof.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the fibrous structureexhibits a basis weight of about 1500 gsm or less as measured accordingto the Basis Weight Test Method described herein.
 24. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fibrous structure exhibits a water content of from0% to about 20% as measured according to the Water Content Test Methoddescribed herein.
 25. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some ofthe filaments exhibit a diameter of less than 50 μm as measuredaccording to the Diameter Test Method described herein.